Roxana Nelson's Obituary
Roxana (Roxanne) Nelson of Rehoboth Beach passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022.
Roxanne was born in Springfield IL to Leslie W. and Gertrude R. Knott. She grew up in Bethesda, MD and attended the University of Delaware where she met and married the love of her life, Leonard (Lenny) Nelson.
After a few years in New Jersey, the family moved to Seaford, Delaware where Roxanne began working as a teaching assistant. Over the next several years she raised her family, worked, and went to school part time, eventually completing her master’s in education from the University of Delaware. Over the next several years she taught in elementary schools in Seaford, Milford and Rehoboth Elementary, where she taught generations of kindergarten children. She was named Cape Henlopen Teacher of the Year in 2000 and retired in 2001.
Roxanne continued to be just as active in retirement with several volunteer organizations including Read Aloud DE, the Village Improvement Association, and the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park. She often served on the board and led the organizing of several annual events. Every event, donation or interaction with children was beautifully and lovingly delivered. She formed her own non-profit, Reading Opens Doors, which gifted libraries of books to children moving into their Habitat for Humanity homes. She made many friends along the way and her passion for serving others was a lifelong commitment. She was recognized in 2017 with the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, and in 2018 with the DAR Community Service Award.
Throughout their 52 years together, Lenny and Roxanne enjoyed traveling around the U.S., especially sailing and boating on the Chesapeake, cruising the 7,000-mile Great Loop, and running annual ski trips to Vermont. They planned and built three different homes over the years along the Rehoboth Bay wetlands where they never tired of watching the birds and wildlife.
Roxanne was devoted to her family and loved her children and grandchildren without reservation. She introduced them over the years to cooking, art, and nature with a sense of wonder and fun that only an elementary teacher can impart.
Roxanne is predeceased by her husband and survived by her two children Zoanne Nelson (Alwin Chan), and Michael Nelson (Cheryl); five grandchildren Clayton Nelson (Katelyn) and Chase Nelson (Taylor Schreffler), Kyril Panfilov, Leo and Emily Chan; great granddaughter Lainey Nelson; and sister Sylvia Gentili.
Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, in at 11:00 AM, Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends and family may visit beginning at 10:00 AM.
All who cannot attend in person are invited to join the services via live streaming by visiting the following link: http://www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/10797161/LTWebcast
Interment will be private.
In memory of her great love of service, donations may be made to Read Aloud DE, 108 N Bedford St, Georgetown, DE 19947 (www.readalouddelaware.org), the Village Improvement Association, PO Box 144, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 (www.rehobothbeachvia.org), or the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, P.O. Box 132, Nassau, DE 19969 (www.friendsofcapehenlopen.org).
Please sign Mrs. Nelson's virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 4:00 PM ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2022 AT OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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