Ami Elissa Rodland

AMI (ORLIN) RODLAND

Ami Elissa Rodland, age 73, passed away on January 9, 2026 due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.

How does one capture the essence of Ami in an obituary? Ami: the fearless advocate, loyal friend, devoted mother, loving sister, supportive partner, incredible cook, Scrabble player extraordinaire, assertive New Yorker. Facts can’t convey the laughter, the intellect, the fun, the humanity of Ami Rodland.

Ami always knew she wanted to be a social worker. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College and her Master’s Degree in Social Work Policy and Administration from UW-Madison. Ami began her career as a social worker (under the professional name of Ami Orlin) with the City of Madison Dept. of Human Services, later moving to Dane County Dept. of Human Services where she rose through the ranks to Child Protective Services Program Manager. Ami was instrumental in creating Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center as its first Executive Director, where children who experience abuse can speak with a forensic interviewer in a safe environment. After retirement in 2010, Ami taught Field Seminars at the School of Social Work, UW-Madison, and worked as a volunteer at DAIS and Rainbow Project. Years later, when Ami was a resident in a dementia facility and Alzheimer’s had robbed her of effective communication, she still somehow managed complete sentences whenever she saw a resident looking sad: “How are you?”, Ami would ask, “It will be o.k.” The social worker remained intact.

Ami moved to Stoughton with her husband, Bruce Rodland, where they raised their son, Zack. Their Victorian home was filled from floor to ceiling with Bruce’s collectibles although Ami managed to create a pristine study for herself. It was an idyllic existence for the family – fishing, walking, spending time with neighbors, hanging out at the Stoughton airport with Zack who later became a pilot. Bruce died in 2001 and Ami moved to the east side of Madison several years later.

A complete change of lifestyle: In addition to her social work volunteering, Ami ushered at the Overture for many years. She loved going to music venues, theater, and street festivals. But most of all, Ami loved food – talking about food, cooking, dining out, writing a blog, reviewing for Yelp. She was an amazing chef.

In 2005, Ami met her partner, Tariq Akmut, with whom she has shared over twenty years of love and friendship.

Ami was born in Mineola, NY on March 26, 1952 to Joseph Wiener and Anne Orlin Wiener, both of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Zack Rodland, her sister Judith (Lloyd) Rotker, half-brother David Glasser, her partner Tariq Akmut and her lifelong friends, Lauri Roman and Fay McClurg. Memorials may be made to the Goodman Community Center, Madison, WI and Alzheimer’s Association, Wisconsin Chapter. A Celebration of Life will take place in the spring. A special thanks to Theresa Mayfield, who not only provided Ami with professional care and comfort during Ami’s stay at Brookdale Stonefield Middleton but supported Ami’s loved ones throughout this very difficult journey.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434