Tribute: Rhonda Ores ’87

CAMPUS CONNECTION: Rhonda Ores (second from right) reunited with 1987 classmates Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Lorin Armanini Donnelly, and Jill Siegel during Meliora Weekend 2017. (Photograph: Courtesy of Marian Tanofsky-Kraff ’87)

Rhonda Ores was core to our band of sisters who easily gravitated toward each other in the first semester of our freshman year. It was 1983, and we lived on Morgan 4 on the Hill. We had few pretensions, but a lot of silliness and laughter.

She was game for nearly any adventure, prank, or opportunity to have fun—whether singing Broadway tunes on a road trip, planning the first ever crush party on campus, or Russian dancing on a cold snowy Rochester night when there was nothing else to do.

Rhonda, who died in May, had a brilliant and inquisitive mind and those of us who knew her quickly realized that she was destined to make an impact on campus as well as in her life after Rochester.

She took her passion to the Campus Times, where she earned the nickname “Scoop.” A skilled debater, she could argue her way out of anything. When Meir Kahane, the fiercely opinionated and vocal Israeli politician spoke at Rochester, Rhonda eloquently challenged his nationalist views. The typically outspoken and combative Kahane was silenced and simply shrugged.

By contrast, Rhonda would concede defeat in a debate with any child, regardless how irrational their opinion.

After she earned her law degree at New York University School of Law, she practiced matrimonial and family law for over three decades. Exceedingly modest, it was only after her death that we learned of how influential she was in her field. A member of the board of directors of the New York County Lawyers Association, she received many awards, including “Super Lawyers” and “Women Leaders in the Law.” The recognition was just a small testament to her commitment to practicing law and of the tremendous work she did on behalf of her clients.

Most important, Rhonda was a loving and devoted friend. Never wanting to bring anyone down, Rhonda laughed and reminisced with us at our 30th reunion in 2017, sharing the joys and disappointments of the intervening years. We made plans to attend our 35th reunion this fall, unaware of how limited our remaining time with her would be.

A bright star who was lost too soon, we are blessed with having known her. Rhonda will live on in our hearts and spirit and in so many wonderful memories

—Marian Tanofsky-Kraff ’87, Lorin Armanini Donnelly ’87, and Jill Siegel ’87