Obituary of Roxanne Mae Grezel, New Victoria

It is with heartbreaking sadness that we, the family, of Roxanne announce her passing into the arms of the almighty father just minutes before midnight on Nov. 13, 2021 at the young age of 59 years. Born in Ontario, she and her family moved to Calgary, Alberta when she was just two years old. It is there she spent her younger years. Having lost her father at a young age, the family made their way to Ontario. It was there that she met her future husband and soulmate, Rob 'Robbie' Grezel. They fell in love at first sight and were inseparable since that first meeting. Five years would pass before they were apart for even one day; the love they had for each other is legendary. Roxanne was a loving mother and wife and a gentle and humble woman of great caring, love and respect for whomever she met of knew. She had a special place in her heart for children and especially loved animals, having many dogs, cats, birds, etc. over the years as did her parents who travelled far and wide with family and pets stuffed into the family station wagon on too many road trips to count. Every time she told the story of their time on the road, she would laugh so hard she'd have tears in her eyes and split a gut laughing she'd say. ' Oh my god, you should have seen it; two Siamese cats, two dogs, a parrot and a budgie bird in a cage flying down the highway with the music blasting and the feathers flying out the windows. Yeee-haw she'd scream, as she loved every minute of it, as she loved life in general. Her smile and infectious laugh would brighten the darkest days for all she met. Roxanne was a huge Elvis Presley fan and collected vast amounts of Elvis memorabilia over the years. She was also a beautifully gifted singer with the voice of an angel. She briefly had her own band in Ontario and she and Rob would go to the open mic bars where she would sing a few songs for the crowd on hand. She was always amazed when on stage to see the dance floor filled to capacity and everyone wanting more of her beautiful voice. Back in the day, she had even belted out a few songs at the old Heather and Stag-n-Doe bars in New Waterford. She was so nervous but she still did it for the crowd who always wanted more. Roxanne was a much better singer than she thought and at one music competition in Oshawa, Ontario, she was voted '2nd' behind an up and comer named Michelle Wright. Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colours was one of her favourites to sing for others but she also had a soft spot for Patsy Cline, Reba MacIntyre, Whitney Houston and many others. She loved country music and could always be heard humming a tune in her everyday activities. When she was blessed with the birth of her son, all things changed. Roxanne gave up all hope of a possible singing career to care for her miracle child, as she called him, and with the love in her heart, she passed it it on to her son, to care for him 100% without hesitation. It was at that time, after the difficult and premature birth of her son that she first learned that she had been born with only one kidney which caused great strain on her body. Her son, born with mild Cerebral Palsy, spent many of his younger years in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation clinics. When Doctors told her that her son may never walk, she would have none of it, and she dedicated her time fully to him as a stay at home mom. She did therapy on him everyday for the better part of five years , sometimes five hours per day, stretching and pulling his joints to help keep his young body loose so as to provide him the best chances in life. It all paid off when not only did her son walk, he ran and has the medals from his early school track meets to prove it. She was beyond proud. Her love of family and friends was always Roxanne's strength. She would also spend hours making homemade gifts for people she knew and loved; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc., sometimes even trying her hand at drawing and painting. Never missing a birthday or celebration, she loved to give special gifts. She truly loved her friends; Faith, Cathy, Germain and many others. Lucky were those who received such gifts made with so much love. She always put others first, as she found great joy in giving. Roxanne was very proud of her Aboriginal Heritage. Her grandparents from Ontario (Deseronto)had made the Ceremonial outfits worn by those present to welcome the Queen during the ceremonies of the 1967 100th anniversary of Confederation, which are still in the National Gallery in Ottawa. She should always be proud that the work she had done in the early years of her son's life were recognized by Kingston and Ottawa Hospitals as the poster child of what to do to help mitigate the effects of Spastic Dysplasia through early intervention therapy. Roxanne never complained, even as she spent the past number of years waiting for a match for a donor kidney, as she did daily dialysis at home. Her wait over, she passed peacefully with her loving family by her side. Roxanne is survived by her husband, Rob 'Robbie' and son, Robert, New Victoria, C.B; and only sister, Tammy (Logie) Emslie of Pugwash, N.S. Besides her parents, Robert and Margaret (Hill) Giles, she was predeceased by her brother, Dale. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and guidance of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring/summer of 2022. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. We would especially like to thank all the VON nurses who attended to her care over the past several years. Also to Dr. Hewlett and Dr. Puppala and all others at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Renal Dialysis Unit and EMS for the care given to her. She always appreciated and loved you all. Rest my Love, in his heavenly Embrace, Let be gone such hectic pace. Be calm my dear, and wait for me, Till together, one day we'll be. In our thoughts and prayers, you'll always stay forever more, til we join you one day. Rest in peace my Beautiful Dove We shall carry forth your Angelic Love.