Rhonda Ann Cantrell, 51, died Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, at Peachtree Hospice Palliative Care Unit. She was born Dec. 7, 1955, in Fort Smith to Bill and Molly Cantrell. She is survived by three children, Kevin J. Scanlon of Wabasha, Minn., Sean Scanlon (US Army) and his wife, Sarah, of Cherry Hill, N.J., and a daughter, Kelly Scanlon of Immaculata, Pa.; and two grandsons, Luke Patrick and Timothy Fentan Scanlon of Cherry Hill, N.J. Siblings include Barry Cantrell and Marsha Gonzalez of Florida, and Cheryl Cantrell of Fort Smith. She was predeceased by both parents.

She is also survived by her honorary sister and dearest lifelong friend, Linda Barnwell Atwell, who helped Rhonda all her life, but especially in the years after Rhonda's stroke in 1994. She was always there for her, assisting Rhonda to live independently after she became a wheelchair user. Special thanks also to Dr. Terry Brackman, who provided loving Christian care to Rhonda when she had no insurance and many medical needs. She always appreciated the dignity with which he treated her. Heartfelt thanks also to the evening shift of Peachtree Hospice Palliative Care Unit who cared for Rhonda those final few hours. Your compassion and kindness will always be remembered. Linda and Cheryl were at Rhonda's beside when the angels took her into paradise.

Rhonda attended First Lutheran School and Northside High School. She served in the Air Force National Guard. She was an avid quilter, and loved fabrics and quilting books. She was always working on a quilt for somebody's new baby or new home or wedding. She studied genealogy, and loved to find missing ancestors for people. Her greatest pride was in her three children, each of whom had serious medical problems as very young children, and each overcame them due to her incredible determination and attentive loving care, and grew to become amazing adults. She loved her cats and her dog, Bear. Despite the many physical challenges she faced following her stroke, she accepted the diagnosis of breast cancer early last year with equanimity, grace and determination. She left the hospital a few hours after her mastectomy. During the months she was in the nursing home, she was amazingly generous with other residents and staff. When she learned the nursing home didn't serve fresh fruit, she had it brought in, and shared it with other residents. She often made "goodie bags" for the nursing home attendants to take home to their children. No matter how bad her own circumstances, she never lost her incredible generosity and sense of humor. Rarely seen without a cup of coffee and a cigarette in her hand, she touched many, many lives and will be greatly missed.

Cremation was carried out by Brotherton Funeral Home of Charleston.

Memorial contributions should be sent to Peachtree Hospice Palliative Care Unit at Sparks Hospital; or the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.

A celebration of Rhonda's life will be held this Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the home of Cheryl Cantrell, 2715 Herbert, Fort Smith.