Roxanne “Roxy” Marie Patereau Pederson, aged 58, died peacefully on September 5, 2012, at her home in Eugene, OR after a brief struggle with cancer. Roxanne was born August 18, 1954, in Sacramento, CA, the daughter of Roy Arnold Patereau Sr. and Alma Louise Schoff.
Roxanne moved to Gilroy, CA in 1974, where she resided until moving to Kalama, WA in 2003.
Roxanne enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and was the epitome of the perfect hostess.
While in Gilroy she was an active member of the community, including Bonanza Days, Little League, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Roxanne ran a home-based daycare from 1977-1986. Known as a second mother to the dozens of children she cared for, she took them on vacations, hosted them alongside family on holidays, and kept in touch 20+ years later.
In 1986, Roxanne entered and excelled in the Nursing Program at Gavilan College. Her compassion and dedication to her patients didn’t end with her shifts, and she found it increasingly difficult to manage her concern for their well-being. So, when presented the opportunity to work at the Morgan Hill Post Office in 1988, she accepted a position that she held until 2003.
Beloved by her colleagues and customers, Roxanne was known to go far beyond “…snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night…,” such as traveling to Holiday Lake Estates to deliver packages on Christmas mornings.
Roxanne was an avid fisherwoman, and enjoyed teaching others to land the big steelhead and salmon swimming past the “Million Dollar Hole” at her former home along the Kalama River; this is also where she hosted fishing expeditions for disabled veterans for Healing Waters.
Friend to many and enemy to none, Roxanne had a broad, natural smile that at once delighted, amused, and soothed all in her presence. Her kindness and compassion were legendary, and were evidenced in the countless acts of humanity she showed to the thousands of people who, however briefly, entered her life.
On the surface, Roxanne was shy and quiet; she never judged, always reserved opinion, and never held a grudge. But she also had a wicked sense of humor that could completely catch you off guard, and kept her loved ones guessing from where the next “Beaver Tourniquet” was coming until the very end.
Roxanne is survived by her daughters, Stacey Pederson (Michael O’Neal) of Eugene, OR and Traci Gorman (Eric) of Gilroy, CA and son, Todd Pederson of Gilroy; granddaughters, Jenelle Costa of Los Angeles, Kindra, Katrina, and Julie Gorman of Gilroy, and grandsons, Tyler Pederson of Morgan Hill and McKale and Kaden O’Neal of Eugene; sisters, Rosemary Lemos (David) of Gilroy and Rena Hudon of Vancouver, WA; brothers, Richard Patereau (Susan Murphy) of Gilroy, Ross Patereau (Renee) of Los Molinos, CA, and Roger Patereau (Betty) of Gilroy; 29 nieces and nephews; best friend, Barbara Orzel of Kalama, WA; and a number of other relatives and close friends.She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Russ, Rene, Roy, and Randy Patereau; and granddaughter, Jasmine Costa.
Of all the gifts and talents she gave to the world, Roxanne’s most poignant achievement was that of being a devoted, supportive, and unconditionally-loving mom. She taught her children that, with hard work, dedication, and trust in themselves, they could accomplish anything.
Sorely missed by all who love her, Roxanne would be the first to ask that, in your own time, you replace your sadness with the fond, joyous memories you shared with her. With that devilish grin we’ve all come to love and fear, she’d also add: “If you wish to live forever, then stop breathing, like I did!”
In lieu of flowers, Roxanne and her family ask that you volunteer your time to a children’s charity. If you wish to make a donation to Roxanne’s favorite charity, Relief Nursery, please visit www.reliefnursery.org.
Roxanne requested a private Celebration of Life for family and friends to be held in Gilroy; for details, please contact the family. The family wishes to thank the dozens of you who cared for her and her family over the past several months, and encourage everyone who loved Roxanne to share your messages, stories, photos, and videos at http://memorial.yourtribute.com/FoxyRoxy.
