Rhonda Roberts

Rhonda (McCauley) Roberts, age 61, of Lenexa, Kansas, succumbed to metastatic breast cancer on May 14, 2025, at the Kansas City Hospice House. 

Rhonda was born on January 19, 1964, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to Dolores Hensel and Charles McCauley. 

Since her father was in the military, Rhonda had to frequently move with her family. Following their assignment to Fort McClellan, Alabama, Rhonda began college studies at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. While attending Jacksonville State University, Rhonda worked at Fort McClellan as a lifeguard and server at the Officer’s Club where she caught the attention of a young lieutenant and her future husband, Brian Roberts. Brian and Rhonda were married two years later in 1986 in Holland Patent, New York, beginning a marriage of 38 years.  Brian and Rhonda welcomed their daughter Lindsay in 1990 and son Aaron in 1995.

Prior to moving to the Kansas City area in 1992, Rhonda earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Potsdam University. After teaching pre-school for a few years, Rhonda accepted a teaching position in the Shawnee Mission School District where she taught for 20 years, primarily teaching 5th and 6th grade at Roesland Elementary in Roeland Park. Rhonda’s legacy lives on in the many students and colleagues she mentored and supported. When her children were young, Rhonda was a fixture along the soccer field sidelines and in the baseball stands. Later, after the children were on their own, Rhonda enjoyed time with fur babies, ignoring her pet allergies and volunteering to work at the KC Pet Project animal shelter.

Rhonda is survived by her husband (Brian Roberts), daughter (Lindsay Roberts), son (Aaron Roberts), mother (Dolores Hensel), father (Charles McCauley), and brother (Chuck McCauley). Rhonda will be remembered as a wonderful mother to her amazing children, a loving wife, and for the kindness and love she shared with all. Rhonda also leaves behind a host of friends, her Roesland family, and hundreds of students who will remember her teachings, spirit, and positive impact.

Many debate the existence of an Afterlife.  However, insight can sometimes come from unlikely sources. A few years ago, Keanu Reeves, the actor, was asked on a late night talk show, “What do you think happens when we die?” He thought for a moment and then provided a simple but powerful response – “I know that the ones who love us will miss us.”   Rhonda was loved and will be missed by many.