Rhonda J. Lapierre

Rhonda J. (LaPlant) Lapierre, age 49, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family in Washington DC. She was born on December 20, 1969 in Farmington, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Henry and Thora (West) LaPlant, her father-in-law Bernard Lapierre, and her nephews Elijah Alan Fischbeck and Matthew Michael Dowell. Rhonda married the love of her life, Didier Lapierre, on June 1, 2002 in Arcachon, France and they have a beautiful daughter, Daphne. In addition to her husband Didier and daughter Daphne, Rhonda is survived by her parents Ron and Phyllis (Blankenship) LaPlant, her brother Tony (Michelle) LaPlant, two sisters, Leslie (Mark) Fischbeck, Nicole (Ryan) Dowell, her mother-in-law Claudine Lapierre, six nieces and nephews, Tyler (Meredith) LaPlant, Chase Fischbeck, Taylor Fischbeck, Tristan Fischbeck, Lily Anna Dowell, Hadley Ann Dowell, and her uncles and aunts, Reg and Ann LaPlant, Micheline Bresson, Jacques-Henry and Monique Lapierre. After completing high school in Farmington, MO, Rhonda graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia (affectionately referred to as Mizzou) with a degree in Accounting. She later earned an MBA from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Rhonda started her career as a Financial Analyst and later a Gaming Controller at Harrahs and Hilton Casinos in Kansas City, MO. While there, tiny little Rhonda also cut her teeth by managing the count room and its 300-pound muscle-bound workers who moved massive bags of coins. Rhonda later transitioned to Sprint in Kansas City, MO, and then on to Sprint International in Reston, VA. Rhonda ultimately landed at Cox Communications in Herndon, VA, where she last served as their Director of Finance. In recent years Rhonda dedicated her time to her family. Rhonda was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was passionate about life and she lived it to the fullest. She taught us all so much about how to live vigorously. She was a warrior who quietly fought her battle for over a decade, putting the concerns of others before her own, and always donned a big smile. Daphne, her daughter, was her pride and joy, and care for her family was of utmost importance to Rhonda. She was confident that Daphne would grow up to be as strong as she was, after having dealt with grief as a young girl herself. Rhonda brought joy to everyone she met. She had an infectious smile and a laugh you could never forget. Her love of travel took her all over the world, but her happy places were sailing, camping, and floating on the river. She relished being on the water and many of her weekends and vacations were spent sailing with loved ones. She never grew tired of watching a beautiful sunset on the Chesapeake Bay or planning a trip to the Caribbean. She was also a foodie who enjoyed a glass of wine and going out to dinner with family and friends. In the course of her life she built countless meaningful friendships through her education, professional career and pastimes, as well as Daphnes schools, games and activities. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, but she will live on in our hearts forever. Services are being held in Washington, DC and Farmington, MO. The first visitation will be Tuesday, April 23 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at Pumphrey's Funeral Home, 7557 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD. The funeral mass will be Wednesday, April 24 at 11:00 AM at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 5949 Western Avenue NW, Washington, DC. A reception will follow at Macon Bistro, 5520 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC. The second visitation will be Friday, April 26 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Cozean Funeral Home, 217 W Columbia Street, Farmington, MO. Visitation will resume at Cozean at 7:00 AM on Saturday, concluding at 12:30 PM. The funeral mass will be Saturday, April 27 at 1:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 10 N. Long Street, Farmington. MO. Interment will be Saturday, April 27 at 2:30 PM at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery, State Route H, Farmington, MO. A reception will immediately follow the funeral/internment at St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either: The Oncology Department of the Virginia Hospital Center (https://www.virginiahospitalcenter.com/supportthehospital/donate_online.aspx) Daphnes 529 college savings plan (www.ugift529.com code F0D-B1V). Visitation Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory Friday, April 26, 2019 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Visitation Resumes Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory Saturday, April 27, 2019 7:00 AM - 12:30 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Mass of Christian Burial St. Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington Saturday, April 27, 2019 1:00 PM 10 North Long Street Farmington, MO 63640 Interment Service New Calvary Catholic Cemetery Saturday, April 27, 2019 2:30 PM State Route H Farmington, MO 63640