Rhonda Kay Cimino

Rhonda was born at the U.S. Army Hospital in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, Germany, to Kenneth Carl Watson and Alma Lois Watson on July 15, 1958. She was the middle child of three daughters, older sister Karen and younger sister Kathryn. Her family traveled in her youth before and after her father retired from the army and settled in Altamonte Springs.

She graduated from Lake Brantley High School then attended both Seminole Community College and the Orange County Vocational School Dental Assisting Program. She later completed an Associate of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Human Resource Management from Hawaii Pacific University.

While enrolled in the dental assisting program, she met the love of her life, Leopold J. Cimino. Ten months later, Rhonda and Leo married in the old chapel at the Orlando Naval Training Center on March 3, 1979, shortly after he entered the U.S. Army. Rhonda and Leo loved one another deeply and supported each other throughout their forty-one years of marriage.

They were blessed with two beautiful children, their first child, Ryan, while stationed in Panama, and their second child, Rachel, between duty stations in Orlando. Rhonda adored and showered her children with love and immersed herself in their lives. The lifelong relationship she had with her children, now adults, was rooted in a bond of love, values, and faith within the family that is visually evident.

While Leo was in the army, Rhonda enjoyed living in different locations throughout the United States and abroad. She played an active role in the army family life volunteering and organizing various activities. She enjoyed interacting with other families and made life-long friends wherever her family lived. Rhonda also served as the President of the Non-Commissioned Officer/Enlisted Wives’ Club while at the United States European Command in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany.

She worked as a dental assistant for many years. After Leo’s retirement, her family returned to her hometown of Altamonte Springs. Rhonda’s career transitioned to work as an office manager in the dental industry then as an office services manager for a corporate financial company.

Rhonda was active and enjoyed traveling. She was the happiest around her family and friends. She was overwhelmed with joy to see and love her first grandchild, Alana. Rhonda had a heartwarming presence about her that shined with others. Her kind and compassionate nature was always uplifting and encouraging. She was a selfless and devoted caregiver to her mother. She loved her close friends greatly as they supported each other along their journey. She lived her life with a spirit of generosity.

Rhonda’s faith was strong, and she loved the Lord. She said she was in a win-win battle. If she received a miracle of healing, she wins; if she was called home to the Lord, she wins. She won and is celebrating her victory with the Lord.

Rhonda is preceded in passing by her father, Kenneth C. Watson. She is survived by her spouse Leopold J. Cimino, son Ryan L. Cimino, daughter Rachel L. (Cimino) Tighe, son-in-law Jeffrey M. Tighe, and granddaughter Alana A. Tighe, sisters Karen L. Watson, Kathryn L. (Watson) Koch and brother-in-law Edward Koch Jr., mother Alma Lois Watson, and aunt and uncle, eleven cousins, and ten nieces and nephews.

The family wants to extend our sincere thanks for all the prayers, generosity, outpouring of love, encouragement and support during our time of loss.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to end childhood cancer.