Roxanna Rose Stilphen

Woolwich - Roxanna Rose Stilphen, 67, passed away peacefully Jan. 23, 2023, at Springbrook Center in Westbrook.

Roxanna was the only daughter of Lorraine Jacqueline (Hersom) Stilphen and Clarence Ernest Stilphen, Jr. She was born Aug. 31, 1955, at Bath Memorial Hospital. She grew up a self-described tomboy in Woolwich alongside four brothers in an extended family with deep roots along Nequasset Lake. She attended Woolwich Central School, and was a member of the Morse Class of 1975.

Roxanna was a lifelong poet, leaving behind many boxes of verse and other writings. She attended an annual Labor Day weekend women’s retreat that inspired and supported her creativity. She often spoke of the women she met there and the kindness she was shown. Roxanna loved long walks, word searches and crossword puzzles, and playing games like Yahtzee and Skip-Bo.

Roxanna is remembered by family for her love of Bette Midler, Janis Joplin, and Bonnie Raitt. Nieces and nephews recall a special passion for “Xena, Warrior Princess” and “Star Trek: Deep Space 9.” She loved sci-fi, Spaghetti-Os, and staying up late.

Most of all, Roxanna loved her big family, frequently visiting after she moved to Portland in 1989. She never missed a family cookout or “spaghetti feed,” if she could help it. Listening to her uncles and aunts play guitar and sing Patsy Cline songs (among many other classic Country tunes) brought tears to her eyes. She took special pride in her nieces and nephews, encouraging them to expand their ideas of what was possible, often drawing on her experience in recovery. She was sober for 41 years at the time of her passing.

Roxanna was preceded in death by her mother in 2001 and father in 1980, and brothers Douglas Stilphen in 2013 and Roger Hersom in 1975. She is survived by younger brother Todd Stilphen, and older brothers Cal Stilphen and Frederick Hersom, Jr. Special nephews include Jonathan and Matthew Stilphen, Rick and Josh Hersom, and nieces Jacqueline Stilphen and Raye Leonard.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring.

Donations in Roxanna’s memory may be made to Out Maine at https://outmaine.org, or LGBTQ organization of your choice.

To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roxanna Rose Stilphen, please visit our floral store.