Mrs. Roxanne Rutledge

Roxanne "Posie" (Giardino) Rutledge, 65, of Canton, Georgia passed away on July 30, 2014, after a long term illness. Roxanne was born in New Britain, Connecticut, on September 20, 1948. She was the daughter of Antoinette (Vilardi) Giardino and Carmin J. Giardino. Roxanne is survived by her beloved husband Keith, her daughter Kristin Fraser and son in law Gerard Fraser of Seymour, CT, and two grandchildren, Samantha and Christopher. She also leaves her sister Theresa Green and brother in law Michael Green of Winterport, ME, her sister Charlene Giardino of New Britain, CT, and her brother Charles Giardino of Hebron, CT. She was predeceased by her sister Antoinette Vita Giardino. Roxanne was “auntie” to Madeline Grace Scozzie of Ashburn,VA, Jennifer Triano Donovan of San Rafael, CA, Sarah Triano Ober of Coventry, CT, Steven Hounchell of Hartford, CT, Daniel Callahan of Nebo, NC, and Brandon Pirruccio of New Britain CT. They were all blessed by a loving, caring aunt from the day they were born. Roxanne graduated from St Thomas Aquinus High School in New Britain, CT. in 1966. Her love and experience with horses from an early age allowed her to go on to organize and lead numerous 4 H riding camps. She ran a horse boarding stable in Berlin, CT, and while mentoring new riders she honed her own skills and competed in many horse shows where she won numerous awards and commendations. Roxanne brought her horse skills to Georgia, and more recently helped manage a horse farm in Canton. She moved to Georgia in 1982, and began a career in high tech sales. She was hired by Mitel where she held multiple positions including regional sales director. It was at Mitel where Roxanne and her husband Keith met and began their joyous and committed journey together. Roxanne then worked in the videoconferencing field for PictureTel where she was enjoyed a very successful career and earned Presidents Club status four years in a row. In 2004 she retired from the corporate world and planned to slow her life pace, but for anyone who knew Roxanne, retirement meant becoming deeply involved in a multitude of interests, always being concerned for others and making many new and loyal friends in her community. Roxanne was a member of Antioch Christian Church where over the years she volunteered during vacation Bible School and for other youth programs. Roxanne was a passionate lover of nature and animals. Roxanne volunteered for the Cherokee County Humane society and supported the National Wildlife Society and the Nature Conservatory. She was a long term member of the Cherokee County Master Gardeners where she led classes and chaired the speakers bureau. The gardens at her home were one of her many passions and she tended them with love and expertise. A walk with Roxanne through her gardens was a delight as she proudly named each plant, giving the botanical and common name. Her yard is a certified bird sanctuary where she always made sure the birdies had food, water. It is a glorious event to sit on her back porch, breath the air and enjoy a glass of sweet tea while listening to the many beautiful bird songs. Roxanne was a member of the Cherokee Crazy Quilters group where she served for a time in the position of president. Her home is full of these quilted treasures. She also shared many of her creations with friends and family and they will be cherished forever as a reminder of her talent and love for quilting. Roxanne practiced yoga for many years and was studying to become an instructor. Roxanne and Keith loved camping and when camping season came, they were off on their many adventures. She loved the state parks in Georgia especially the mountain parks with Fort Mountain and Black Rock Mountain being pure heaven in the fall camping season. Hiking through the forest with her beloved dogs Avery, then Sophie, by her side was one of Roxanne’s favorite things to do. Roxanne’s warm caring presence will be missed by all. She was always there to lend a hand, share a laugh, or help carry the load for her friends. She had a generous spirit. She always found time to listen and acknowledge others’ life stories. She also felt blessed by the once in a lifetime friends that she made during the time she lived in the South. Roxanne was a loyal follower of her home state basketball team, the Women’s UConn Huskies, and was thrilled to watch them win tournaments year after year. Roxanne’s husband Keith, her dear partner, gave Roxanne unselfish love through her many years of illness and medical treatments. He was always at her side, helping to aid and comfort her, easing her through many troubled moments, and to share her life’s happier moments. We all feel a great loss and she will be missed terribly. A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 2nd at 12 PM at Antioch Christian Church in Canton, GA. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Georgia Mountains Hospice and Tranquility Hospice at Kennesaw Mountain.

Mrs. Roxanne Rutledge

September 20, 1948 - July 30, 2014