Roxanne Kellough

I wonder if this is the Roxanne I met in Whistler downhill shining for one season of being a ski bum?
She too was from Owen sound, with a big head of thick curly hair.
We were about 24, and became mad friends…and tolerated her husband Peter…..she had a small surgery here in Vancouver, and immediately returned east.
Never saw nor heard from her again.
I have always looked for her…..could this much loved person be her?
604 876-0083
Audrey Tobin

I am so saddened to hear of Roxanne’s passing but am also reflecting on her brilliance, tenacity and joyful nature. Our paths crossed many years ago as members of a great, creative and wild household of incredible young women in London Ontario. We both followed our hearts and dreams and the western winds to BC shortly after one another. I send my sincere condolences to all her dearest friends, her loving partner and her family. Her vibrant spirit was truly a gift.

Roxanne made her friends feel like they were very special. A real gift given the number of friends she gathered over her life. I will miss her and all the good times we had, orphan’s Christmases, breakfast at Wimbledon and just hanging around talking. She will certainly stay in my heart.

Diane, you’ve heard by now how Gilly inspired a spontaneous gathering in Vancouver on the evening of Roxanne’s passing, how Cori joined and Ruth Leckie, then I dropped in, then Jean Leckie, and later Elizabeth. We ordered beers we liked or that we knew Roxanne would like. We worked on remembering the different beers she had liked in different eras. Her favorite tennis players. We laughed over stories. Jean quickly realized she wasn’t going to her yoga class as she’d planned. I later realized I wasn’t going to the art opening as I’d planned. It felt very fitting that we had that spontaneous, warm, loving gathering, borne on the great vibe that Roxanne lived. And very fitting too that we were sitting across the street from where the Calabria used to be, her old stomping ground and fav coffee shop.
Roxanne was special. Roxanne was brave and full of grace.
I wish peace and healing to you, Diane, and your family, to Roxanne’s family, and to Roxanne’s many life-long friends.
With love, Yaana

Very sad to hear Roxanne passed away…………….. My deepest condolences to Roxanne’s life partner Diane and family………I too met Roxanne in the 70s at West Hill high school in Owen Sound Ontario.– Fun and sun at Sauble Beach—This woman was blessed with a beautiful smile, spirit and you could trust her with your life….. We connected several times over the years and I was so glad to know that Roxanne had found the love she was searching for in her life………. God Bless You Roxanne and your loving family and friends….

my condolences to diane and all of roxanne’s family and friends, some of whom are my friends. although i knew her but slightly, she was extremely likable: warm and friendly; i’m sorry not to have known her better.

may her spirit be with you to comfort you all.

chris

Wonderful neighbours are hard to come by. Roxanne made ours a better home. We will miss Roxanne. We did not know her very well but what we did know we loved and will cherish.

Diane, our hearts go out to you. We are so so sorry. We are here.

Ruth, who we met and shared such a brief time with, we are so terribly saddened by the loss of your wonderful daughter. She was special. Please know that we are thinking of you, Ruth and your family as you grieve this horrendous loss.

Warmly, Valerie and Stephan

Spending time with the “Fox” was always a great pleasure. Her love of good food, good beer, and her charming personality made for wonderful memories. Farewell old friend. Thanks for the friendship. We will cherish the weekend we spent with you both last year. Roxanne was such a star…. forever shining. We will miss her in our lives. You are so strong, Diane, and so caring. Roxanne was blessed to have such a wonderful partner. You both were. Our love goes out to you.

Roxanne was someone I was very happy to have called a good friend for more than two decades – and had hoped to do so for my lifetime. We became instant friends shortly after we met and over the years drank many a micro-brewed beer while discussing world events at great length. She was someone that could always be counted on for a rousing discussion of everything and anything.

She effortlessly combined intelligence, insight and compassion with a quick wit and a strong desire to help people (and animals). Her love of birds inspired me to include here a fitting poem as well as a video of Roxanne so lovingly tending to her two rescue birds, Cheeks and Salty, in her East Vancouver apartment in the 90’s.

I’m very thankful to have known her. My thoughts are with Diane and their families as well as with their many other friends at this sad time.
Love, Liz

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.”

– Emily Dickinson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLyugICeybk

Roxanne was a great friend. The kind of friend who is always available and offers help before you even think you might need some.

She was a vital, engaged, and thoughtful person who loved all the good things in life – art, music, theatre, literature, movies, dance, dancing, good food and good times. She had a pretty wicked sense of humour too but it never bordered on cruelty.

We shared many excellent times together including one of the most memorable walks of my life – from Lands End to Porthcurno where we arrived just in time to catch a live performance of ‘An Inspector Calls’ in the open air theatre perched on the cliffs of Cornwall.

Roxanne loved to travel and I learned a lot from her over the last 5 years about life’s journey. It’s not where you’re going its how you get there that counts. She showed us all. Roxanne touched so many lives and its no wonder that she was surrounded by an abundance of love and support when she became ill. I have lost a true friend and my heart goes out to Roxanne’s very large and loving family.

Arletta

Roxanne’s warmth, humour, great smile and wonderful friendship have never left me though it has been so many years since I have seen her in person. She was such a delightful friend when we all met around the Owen Sound Tennis Association. A generous and terrific person. May God bless Roxanne and Diane and all of the members of their families the Kellough family and Craigs.
God Bless Roxanne and all who remain to remember her.

Roxanne was such a wonderful person who constantly amazed me with her thoughtfulness and concern for others. She spoke often of her family and so clearly cared for each and every one of them.

I sure miss the laughs and talks we had at work, and will miss the lunches we had while she was on medical leave. She introduced me to so many restaurants around Victoria and I can’t walk by a single one of them without thinking about her. Conversation was so easy and comfortable with Roxanne. She just put you at ease and made you feel valued and special.

I’m so thankful I got the chance to know Roxanne. She occupies a special place in my heart. My heart goes out to you Diane and family and all the Kelloughs. What a lovely lovely person she was.

I am so saddened to hear that Roxanne passed away. I was, still am, very gratefull that I met Roxanne…..to me, she was a little, bright yet quiet, graceful woman….who always had a supportive ear. Roxanne and I worked at the same office, the Queen’s printer, that is where we grew our friendship.
We had cancer in common, her with her recent diagnosis, and I having lost my only sister to cancer….we had some great convo’s about that. I remember her telling me about her initial visits with a female oncologist……her and Diane were supposed to be going on a three week trip…. Roxanne and Diane were apparently in the office waiting to talk about some tests that had been done….her and Diane made a joke about the doctor…….’I think she’s gay……..she must be a good doctor’…….something along that line anyways. Such a sense of humor…..another thing I love about Roxanne.
And I will start in about our love of shoes……….
I light a candle for you Roxanne, to guide your way…….Diane, may the joyful moments become more than the loss and pain you feel right now.
I too never met Roxanne’s family……but often heard her talk of them all and how proud she was of her family.

My condolences to the family. Roxanne was a beautiful woman with rare quiet humour.

Diane, I am so very sorry for your great loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Lyn

We will miss Roxannes sense of humor, I will miss our great discussions on scientific subjects, the entertainment world and great “Beers” I will miss the “Brew Master”
Love Don

I’ll always remember Roxanne as a funny, easy going person who use to laugh at all my cheesy jokes and how we always enjoyed a morning coffee together before starting our days. Roxanne will always be fondly remembered in my heart.

Pierre

Roksan has always, and will always be in my heart as she has been many women to me: a partner in youth and adventure, a sister in support, my very, very best friend. Roksan could always make me laugh like none other. Now, she’s in a new playland hopefully with Deena both shining down upon us. Our guardian angels. I can only say that Diane, my heart goes out to you as I know how you feel and can only hope that you can keep me close to you as always. You are welcome to come to Cyprus again as you have your extended family here. Love always, Nicole