Tribute to Honor the Life of Former Bradenton Vice Mayor

Key Information

• Name: Saundra Rahn
• Position: Former Vice Mayor of Bradenton
• Years of Service: Over 20 years
• Date of Passing: December 24, age 88
• Celebration of Life: February 15 at 10:30 a.m., Peace Presbyterian Church, Lakewood Ranch
• Family: Survived by three children: Connie, Greg, and Pam

With over two decades of dedicated service, former Bradenton Vice Mayor Saundra Rahn exemplified the essence of public service. Her daughter, Pam Rahn, recalls her mother’s conviction: “She always would say, ‘I am an elected official, not a politician.’ I always was proud of my mom and I wanted to be like her.”

A Celebration of Life service is planned for Saundra Rahn at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch on February 15, starting at 10:30 a.m. She resided in Greenfield Plantation at the time of her passing on December 24.

Pam Rahn shared that her mother was serving as secretary to Bradenton Mayor Sterling Hall when she made the bold decision to run for a city council seat in 1970, ultimately becoming the first woman elected to the council.

When she was just six, Pam began to learn about government by accompanying her mother to meetings and events.

“I was with her (along with the rest of her family) when she met President (Gerald) Ford and Betty,” Pam reminisced. “I felt the seriousness of the moment when Secret Service officers advised my mom to ‘take your hands out of your purse.'”

Throughout her career, Pam noted her mother met numerous governors and even once picked up Sen. John Glenn at the airport. While Pam respected her mother’s commitment to public service, she chose a different path and never ran for office, though she gained vital leadership insights from her mother’s career.

Reflecting on the current political climate, Pam acknowledged how different it has become for politicians. “So my path has gone a different direction,” she said. “But I learned to appreciate how the government works.”

Locally, Saundra Rahn will be remembered for playing a pivotal role in bringing the Pittsburgh Pirates to conduct spring training in Bradenton.

As a member of the Bradenton Woman’s Club for 62 years, her legacy continues; the club established the Silver Service Award in 2022, naming the platter the Saundra Rahn Devotion Platter to honor the member who embodies the “volunteer spirit.”

“She was a wonderful mentor to me,” said Tammy Kesky, president of the Bradenton Woman’s Club. “Everyone looked up to her.”

Pam Rahn fondly recounted how her mother remained humble throughout her career. One late-night call from a constituent requesting help with snakes in her house led Saundra to drop everything to assist.

Saundra Rahn is survived by her three children, Connie, Greg, and Pam, and will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to serving her community.