It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, and dear friend. Rocket passed away on April 12, 2023, at the age of 59. She leaves behind her son, Spencer, his partner Jasmine, her brothers Warren and Gary, her cats Simon and Willow, and many loved relatives and friends.
Born and raised in Victoria, B.C., Rocket had deep roots in the community. After training as a cook at Camosun College, at the age of 19 she decided to join the Canadian Navy and trained and worked as a Marine Engineer. She reached the level of Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class. Roxanne retired in 2012 after proudly serving for 35 years. Rocket was extremely proud being part of the Navy. She held many positions during her career. Her most gratifying honour was in 2012, when she received the Diamond Jubilee Medal, which was presented to her on behalf of the Queen in acknowledgement of her volunteerism. What was most remarkable was the fact it was presented to her after she retired from the Navy.
The greatest joy of Rocket’s life was becoming Spencer’s mother. She was incredibly proud of him and absolutely loved spending time with him. Her greatest sadness is leaving him much too soon.
Strong family bonds, a sense of community, sharing, and helping other were some of Rocket’s core values. Once she retired, these values led her to volunteer as a cook at the Rainbow Kitchen. Once a week, for nine years, she combined her love of food, community, and creativity to help feed people who depended on the Rainbow Kitchen. From everyday meals to special holiday menus, she created wonderful meals and continued to serve this new community with pleasure. She happily spoke about cooking twelve or more turkeys at a time for Christmas dinner, amazing everyone with her ability to cook for so many people. She loved working with the “Monday Team” at the kitchen and greatly missed them when her cancer no longer allowed her to volunteer.
Rocket was a devoted friend – always there to help those in need, and in return, her friends were always happy to help her; whether it was preparing for a Fairfield artist tour, or planning the community garden she started during the pandemic. She loved spending time with family and friends, camping, biking, and eating together.
In retirement, after cycling to Mexico, Rocket found time to explore new creative outlets, first growing food, then painting, and then woodworking. Woodworking became a passion. If she was not creating great meals, spending time with family and friends, or reading, you would find Rocket in her workshop. Woodworking became her true passion, and under her talented hands, she turned simple pieces of wood into spectacular pieces of art. If you attended the Moss Street Paint-In or visited the Market Collective stores, maybe you are one of the lucky people who purchased one of her beautifully crafted pens, cutting boards, or spatulas.
Rocket was a strong, passionate woman, a devoted mother, and a truly giving individual. She left us too soon and we will miss her everyday. She brought out the best in people and we are better for having known her. She taught us about kindness and compassion, about following your dreams, and about spending time with those you love.
The family wishes to thank the community care nurses and the staff at the Royal Jubilee Palliative Care Unit for the compassionate care they provided to Rocket in the last months and weeks of her life. Spencer also wishes to thank Rocket’s friends who helped to care for her in so many ways in her final few months.
A Celebration of Life for Rocket will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, at the Rainbow Kitchen, 500 Admirals Rd, Victoria, BC, starting at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Rainbow Kitchen in Rocket’s name. Cards, written stories, photos, or messages can be sent to rocketsmemories2023@gmail.com
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
49 Responses
Rocket, I will will miss you very much. I first sailed with Rocket in the Canadian Navy in 1999 as a Leading sailor/ Cook on HMCS Moresby. Rocket was part of the elite Sea Training organization temporarily aboard. Chief petty officer” Rocket”, Odgen 2nd class, was assigned with other Seatrainers to work the ship up to sea readiness qualification level or worthines… it was a very very intense training time of 3 weeks of simulated Floods, Fires, First Aid Casualties, and Man overboard exercises and combinations of them, thrown at the ships company during all hour while HMCS Moresby’s crew was operational at sea. I met Rocket again in 2016 as a she was a Volunteer at the Rainbow Kitchen in Esquimalt where she was the head Chef and also the Chef of the wonderful Monday team at that time as my time evolved at the Rainbow Rocket and I had opportunities to cook and shop for the Equipment needed to prepare meals. Thank you Rocket for being the a great friend and teacher.
To Rocket’s family and friends, my deepest condolences.
I knew Rocket through the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, sailing with her in the late 80s & early 90s.
I wanted you to know how shocked and saddened I am to hear of your loss.
However inadequate this may be under such heartbreaking circumstances, I extend my sympathy.
LT(N) Steve Toner retired
HMCS York
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jasmine & Spencer. Rocket augmented our prairie sailors when we went to the west coast for gate vessel weekends. She was always friendly and helped to nurture our sailors so that they would become better at their jobs. She will be missed, but stories will always be told about the pig boats and the chads that sailed on them. It was a pleasure to have served with her. God bless Rocket.
My sincerest condolences to Roxanne’s family and friends. I remember her well from way back when Naval Reserve days. She was an intelligent, kind and lovely human being who has been taken far too soon. Rest in peace Rocket…
My Mentor, my Colleague, my friend.
My heart is sad today. Rocket taught me much. I valued her wisdom. I am so sorry for the loss that all of Rocket’s friends and family must feel.
My deepest sympathies. Rocket was a real leader who always took people under her wing to nurture them.
I was good friends with Rocket’s son, Spencer, throughout my years at Glenlyon Norfolk School, and during that time, I got to know what a wonderful woman she was. She will be sorely missed and I express my biggest condolences to her loved ones.
To Rocket’s family and other friends, my deepest condolences. I knew Rocket through the Naval Reserve, sailing with her in the late 80’s on the Pig Boats, as well as working with her in MARPAC/MCDV/NAVRESHQ circles throughout the late 90’s and 2000’s. Some of my fondest Navy memories (and I’m sure many other people feel the same), include her. What a loss you must all feel!
I had the great pleasure to work with Rocket in the engine room on both coasts. She was knowledgeable, skilled, professional and reliable. She stood up for her team members against harassment and unfair treatment. Rocket had an all too rare combination of fortitude and compassion. I wish I could have sailed with her more often and I will remember her fondly.
See you on the sea, Rocket.