Rhoda T. Zucker

Nov 4, 1944 - May 15, 2026

Rhoda Zucker, beloved by family and friends, passed peacefully on May 15, 2026. For those lucky enough to know her, thoughtful, considerate of others, and always planning ahead, it will probably come as no surprise that Rhoda wrote her own obituary. And while the obituary she wrote beautifully reflects the life she lived, it cannot fully convey how deeply loved she was as a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. We hope she will forgive us for taking the liberty of singing her praises a bit more loudly.

If everyone shared Rhoda’s seemingly endless energy and devotion to family, friends, and community, the world would be a better place. If something needed to be accomplished, Rhoda could make it happen, and she did so time and again for the people and causes she devoted herself to. She made people feel cared for, not only through her kindness and generosity, but through the genuine interest she took in their lives, families, and well-being.

Though petite in stature, she was a force. Regardless of the cause or endeavor she had devoted herself to, she never relented until the goal was achieved. But she did this by bringing everyone along in the journey, and her energy and determination was contagious. And this is what helped make her so successful in all the projects she took on and endeared her to all that came into contact with her. She was never one to seek the spotlight and still Rhoda’s presence and impact were impossible to miss. Rhoda ultimately took pride in just being part of making the world a little bit of a better place.

Rhoda attended college in New Jersey at Douglass College where she studied nutrition. She received her dietitian's certification at the Indiana University Medical Center. After going to Scotland to work at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for two years, she returned to the States and worked as a dietitian at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo until she married Art, the love of her life, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage. They loved camping, which was a passion they passed on to their children. They camped throughout the country, and religiously spent two weeks as a family every summer camping in the Adirondacks. Once the kids were grown, it was a tradition that Art and Rhoda continued and expanded into a month every summer, canoeing, backpacking, and enjoying the outdoors together . Together they raised their children, Lynn, Mark, and Laura, in East Aurora; a town she loved, and loved serving.

A lifelong avid reader, Rhoda was especially devoted to causes that helped others experience the joy and opportunity that reading can provide. She was very active in the Town of Aurora Public Library and brought the joy of reading to many young children by acting as the chairman of the annual creative writing competition. Rhoda was extremely involved in volunteering in the community, serving as a Girl Scouts leader, volunteering in the Aurora Women's Club, the Western New York Federation of Women's Clubs, and the Servers of the Western New York Federation of Women's Clubs. She held many positions, including president, treasurer, secretary, fund raising chairman, and scholastic awards chairman.

Rhoda had many names, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Daughter in Law, Mom, Aunt, Grandma, Friend, and so on, each one a testament to the countless lives she touched, possibly none more so than the grandchildren who adored her.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur, her brother Owen Ullmann (Lois), children; Lynn Gibbons (Jim), Mark (Nicole), Laura (Thomas Gray), and beloved grandchildren Jimmy, Alex, Noah, Ben, and Maddie as well as nieces Jennifer Marshall (John) and Cara Ullmann (John Frey) and nephews Jon Wangelin (Tamara) and Daniel Ullmann.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Aurora Town Public Library, 550 Main Street, East Aurora, NY 14052.