Farewell to Natomas Neighbor: Robynne Kay Rose

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Robynne Kay Rose

Robynne Rose died at home in Sacramento on April 6, 2019, after a 10-year battle with breast cancer.

Robynne was born in Davis, CA on September 4, 1964, and graduated from Davis High School in 1982. She attended Mills College in Oakland, CA for one year, transferring to UC Davis where she graduated with a BA in 1986. Robynne worked in the private sector for two years before returning to Mills College to get her MA and her teaching credential.

Robynne met Tom McDonagh in San Francisco and the two were married in Fiji on June 29, 1999. She began her career as an educator teaching English at Alameda High School for two years before accepting the same position at Natomas High School. Trained as a Freedom Writer teacher, Robynne moved to Discovery High School in the Natomas Unified School District, an alternative to a large traditional high school.

Robynne’s son Cade was born in 2003 and daughter Kelsey in 2005. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and retired from teaching in 2013 just after receiving the ABC10 TV “Teacher of the Month” honor.

Although much of her time in the last four years were consumed with doctor appointments, treatments, and clinical trials, Robynne never stopped investing in her relationships with friends and family. She took great joy in connecting people and making them all part of her “family.” She gave her time, attention, love, strength, wisdom, devotion, humor and friendship to all who crossed her path.

Robynne never let cancer define her life nor limit her activities, and taught all who knew her how to handle adversity with grace and courage. Robynne is survived by her husband Tom, children Cade and Kelsey, parents Sharon and Elliott Rose and sister Kathy Settles.

A Celebration of Life is planned on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at the Mondavi Performing Arts Center on the UC Davis Campus from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Natomas Schools Foundation, earmarked for the Robynne Rose Scholarship-Discovery High School. Checks can be mailed to: Natomas Schools Foundation, 1901 Arena Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95834.