Rochelle Diane Santopoalo

Rochelle D. Santopoalo, PhD, passed away on March 10, 2026, at her home in Leesburg, Florida. Born in Evanston, Illinois, on September 7, 1955, she moved with her family to Waukegan, Illinois, in 1960. She later returned to Evanston to care for her grandmother and lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Aurora, Illinois, before settling in Leesburg in 2014.

From an early age, Rochelle was an avid reader who eagerly awaited the neighborhood bookmobile. This childhood love of learning shaped a life devoted to education, service, and creativity. She began her healthcare career as a candy striper and graduated from Evanston Hospital School of Nursing in 1975. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lewis University in 1976, a Master of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University in 1978, an MBA in Business and Management from Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University in 1989, and a PhD and MA in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University in 1996. Rochelle worked as a nurse, Director of Nursing, college educator, and entrepreneur. She also mentored many students pursuing their own doctoral degrees.

Rochelle found great joy in music, singing, and performance. Halloween was her favorite holiday, and she wrote her dissertation on the subject. Her Evanston home was famous for its elaborate Halloween decorations that drew long lines of visitors and fostered many lasting friendships. She channeled her passion into founding Happy Halloween Magazine and hosting Halloween Convergences that brought together kindred spirits. Later in life she created SoCAFE, an online certification program for adjunct faculty, and had recently begun a new project called Diving Upwards. She adopted many pets over the years, was a longtime member of Toastmasters, and loved to travel.

Rochelle is survived by her brothers, David Santopoalo (Debbie) and Dean Santopoalo; her sister, Tina Santopoalo; her brother-in-law, Bill Walker; and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, James Santopoalo; her mother, Dorothy Santopoalo; and her sister, Karen Walker. She will be remembered for her boundless curiosity, her creativity, and her remarkable ability to bring people together through her passions and ideas.