was born 2/3/1935 in Youngstown, Ohio to Thomas and Nellie (Williams) Lewis. Her family
moved multiple times during her childhood, and Rodna spent time in Washington, D.C., Indiana,
Virginia, Arkansas, Egypt, Spain and Ecuador, before settling in Bethesda, Maryland where she
would live for the remainder of her life. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Miami
University of Ohio and worked as a secretary for the U.S. Navy and the Republican National
Committee. She was a legal secretary in Washington, D.C. prior to her marriage. She worked
at Kaye Robin Gifts in Bethesda for many years, making lasting friends and enjoyed interacting
with her customers.
Rodna loved to write short stories and poems and spending time with her children and
grandchildren. She was an accomplished flamenco dancer and played the castanets with skill.
She enjoyed her time spent volunteering in the library at Wood Acres Elementary. She claimed
her long life and sharp mind was due to drinking Coca-Cola daily. She was very proud of the
fact that in all her years driving she never had a moving violation.
She is survived by her son John Grande and wife Nelcy, daughter Luci (Grande) Riegel and
husband Michael, grandson Ethan Riegel, granddaughters July and Paula Ospina, Sophia and
Kayla Grande and Molly Riegel.
A viewing and remembrance will be held Thursday October 17th, 2019 at Joseph Gawler’s Sons
5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016. Family is welcome starting at 4pm, friends
are invited between 5pm and 7pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Semper K9 Assistance Dogs PO Box 451
Quantico, VA 22134 to benefit both rescue dogs and returning vets.
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