Roxanne Kamel Funeral Fund
Donation protected
Hello everyone. As many one of you know, just a few days ago we lost an incredible woman. It is immensely difficult to fathom my life without her, and the only thing I know to do now is to make sure she is remembered by all those who loved her so dearly. No matter how challenging it may be... I will do just that.
A little bit about Roxanne Marie Kamel:
Saying my mother was simply amazing is a gross understatement. Her strength was unparalleled. Losing her own mother at the age of 19, she fought through that loss and took care of her father when he got ill- dropping out of school to be the compassionate person she always was to stand by his side until he passed away several years later. Time passed, and she got married and became pregnant. Her husband of only a very short time fell ill of Brain Cancer as she was carrying me (her only child). A few months later she was mugged and attacked in Los Angeles, and was found unconscious while pregnant. After being rushed to the hospital, she awoke and was informed she had an abruption and would most likely lose me. She made it clear that no matter if she were to live or die, they had to save her baby. She put her life on the line for me, before I even came into this world. Her heart never wavered when it came to loving me and those around her.
Thankfully both her and I made it out alive and she had a very healthy, yet impatient daughter (Me!) three entire months early. Unfortunately just seven short months into my life, my father lost his fight to Cancer and my mother was left alone to raise me all on her own. She quickly learned how to act as mother and father. She worked diligently to keep me in an area with a wonderful school system, even though it made finances challenging. She kept close to her faith and knew one day this would all make her stronger. On Valentines day of 2001 when I was in first grade, she showed up to my school covered in soot. Our apartment (where we were living at the time) had an electrical fire and we lost everything. Now homeless, my mother and I stayed between friends homes and motels. Never ONCE did my mother cry, worry, or get angry with God. She kept her faith that "everything happens for a reason".
In usual Roxanne fashion, she figured it out and continued to provide a life full of love and happiness to me and everyone she surrounded herself with. Yet, in her life she had a feeling God kept presenting her with the toughest obstacles because he wanted to make her stronger. In the summer of 2004, God presented her with the toughest challenge of all. She was diagnosed with a life threatening illness and was told she only had months to live. She was so incredibly sick but never let it change her outlook on life and her positive attitude. She fought and fought until her faith and strength gave her far more than months- it gave her years. By the time I graduated High School she was still making her presence known in the "class mom" community and was in perfect health. Again, never stopped being the amazing mother to me (and many of my friends) that she was.
In the midst of this, she moved to Franklin, TN to start a new journey in her life. She promised she would give me the happiness I deserved, and she did just that. Her love for animals turned into a full-blown shelter she built for all of the animals that were dropped off in the area. At one point she had saved the lives of over 20+ animals. She was not just caring for those animals, but made an impact on every life she came in contact with. She volunteered in various non-profits in the community and made it clear that her favorite pastime was to love others unconditionally.
Completely unexpectedly five years ago, after her health was finally stable, she was involved in a tragic car accident. She had a brain hemorrhage and her leg was almost completely lost. The incredible surgeons were able to add metal to her leg for the opportunity for her to use it again in the future. She was unable to walk for an entire year, but her willpower and faith gave strength to her legs once more. Even after all of this trauma, her smile, love, and compassion got her through the toughest of times.
She recovered from these challenges to become the strongest person I have ever known, as she always said God would shape her into. She was also cared for by an incredible man named Mark Darcy whom she loved deeply. He cared and assisted during her recoveries, and is a large reason why she fought as she did, and he has done everything he can. My mother had been an active member of the community, and had gotten back on her feet (both figuratively and literally)- continuing to share smiles and stories wherever she went.
And here we are today. We lost a beautiful, strong, loving woman at the young age of fifty-three. The words of her last voicemail echo in my head. "I love you, and I am so so proud of you. I love you more than anything in this world. Call me back!". Her excitement about snacks she got from the local grocery store and her talking about her goofy pets made up the rest of the voicemail. Her cheerful tone gave to her rest into a deep sleep that unfortunately she wouldn't come back from unbeknownst to her or myself.
My mother means everything to me, and that brings me to this Memorial fund. Given the sudden nature of her passing, nothing was expected or planned. Leaving all services and arrangements to me as her daughter and honestly I am at a loss. Her income/savings was nonexistent (she was thrilled because she just received a job offer working with pets starting in less than a week), and had no life insurance, trust, etc that would help in a situation like this.
The funeral services cost far over $10,000 as I now plan for those and for her to be laid to rest next to my beloved grandfather. Sadly, the cost is far greater than what my 24-year-old account has available. I now need to pay for the funeral itself, casket, crypt (she will be in a mausoleum), etc. I will not stop at anything to take care of her the way she took care of me for my entire life as a widow, and as a survivor.
I ask you... her friends, and loved ones. If Roxanne made you smile, laugh, or if even hearing her story made you look at life in a different way, please donate. I am not normally one to ask for help, but any contribution will help remember her name. She had a gift of bringing joy, and helping others. Now I truly believe God has given us the opportunity to help her as she did for us. Personally, there is no way I can repay her for giving me life as a mother and my best friend. However with your help I can try.
Any amount- small or large- will help make this memorial possible. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers during this time. As for me I have to remember her life's motto..."Everything happens for a reason." Please help me make this possible and remember this beautiful angel that has now joined the rest of my family in Heaven.
I love you all more than I can express, and thank you for standing with me during this difficult time. Thank you in advance for your donations.
***UPDATE: I recently found out the cost for transport and her crypt in California was far more than anticipated. Please continue to help, and I am beyond grateful for all of the love and donations thus far.***
A little bit about Roxanne Marie Kamel:
Saying my mother was simply amazing is a gross understatement. Her strength was unparalleled. Losing her own mother at the age of 19, she fought through that loss and took care of her father when he got ill- dropping out of school to be the compassionate person she always was to stand by his side until he passed away several years later. Time passed, and she got married and became pregnant. Her husband of only a very short time fell ill of Brain Cancer as she was carrying me (her only child). A few months later she was mugged and attacked in Los Angeles, and was found unconscious while pregnant. After being rushed to the hospital, she awoke and was informed she had an abruption and would most likely lose me. She made it clear that no matter if she were to live or die, they had to save her baby. She put her life on the line for me, before I even came into this world. Her heart never wavered when it came to loving me and those around her.
Thankfully both her and I made it out alive and she had a very healthy, yet impatient daughter (Me!) three entire months early. Unfortunately just seven short months into my life, my father lost his fight to Cancer and my mother was left alone to raise me all on her own. She quickly learned how to act as mother and father. She worked diligently to keep me in an area with a wonderful school system, even though it made finances challenging. She kept close to her faith and knew one day this would all make her stronger. On Valentines day of 2001 when I was in first grade, she showed up to my school covered in soot. Our apartment (where we were living at the time) had an electrical fire and we lost everything. Now homeless, my mother and I stayed between friends homes and motels. Never ONCE did my mother cry, worry, or get angry with God. She kept her faith that "everything happens for a reason".
In usual Roxanne fashion, she figured it out and continued to provide a life full of love and happiness to me and everyone she surrounded herself with. Yet, in her life she had a feeling God kept presenting her with the toughest obstacles because he wanted to make her stronger. In the summer of 2004, God presented her with the toughest challenge of all. She was diagnosed with a life threatening illness and was told she only had months to live. She was so incredibly sick but never let it change her outlook on life and her positive attitude. She fought and fought until her faith and strength gave her far more than months- it gave her years. By the time I graduated High School she was still making her presence known in the "class mom" community and was in perfect health. Again, never stopped being the amazing mother to me (and many of my friends) that she was.
In the midst of this, she moved to Franklin, TN to start a new journey in her life. She promised she would give me the happiness I deserved, and she did just that. Her love for animals turned into a full-blown shelter she built for all of the animals that were dropped off in the area. At one point she had saved the lives of over 20+ animals. She was not just caring for those animals, but made an impact on every life she came in contact with. She volunteered in various non-profits in the community and made it clear that her favorite pastime was to love others unconditionally.
Completely unexpectedly five years ago, after her health was finally stable, she was involved in a tragic car accident. She had a brain hemorrhage and her leg was almost completely lost. The incredible surgeons were able to add metal to her leg for the opportunity for her to use it again in the future. She was unable to walk for an entire year, but her willpower and faith gave strength to her legs once more. Even after all of this trauma, her smile, love, and compassion got her through the toughest of times.
She recovered from these challenges to become the strongest person I have ever known, as she always said God would shape her into. She was also cared for by an incredible man named Mark Darcy whom she loved deeply. He cared and assisted during her recoveries, and is a large reason why she fought as she did, and he has done everything he can. My mother had been an active member of the community, and had gotten back on her feet (both figuratively and literally)- continuing to share smiles and stories wherever she went.
And here we are today. We lost a beautiful, strong, loving woman at the young age of fifty-three. The words of her last voicemail echo in my head. "I love you, and I am so so proud of you. I love you more than anything in this world. Call me back!". Her excitement about snacks she got from the local grocery store and her talking about her goofy pets made up the rest of the voicemail. Her cheerful tone gave to her rest into a deep sleep that unfortunately she wouldn't come back from unbeknownst to her or myself.
My mother means everything to me, and that brings me to this Memorial fund. Given the sudden nature of her passing, nothing was expected or planned. Leaving all services and arrangements to me as her daughter and honestly I am at a loss. Her income/savings was nonexistent (she was thrilled because she just received a job offer working with pets starting in less than a week), and had no life insurance, trust, etc that would help in a situation like this.
The funeral services cost far over $10,000 as I now plan for those and for her to be laid to rest next to my beloved grandfather. Sadly, the cost is far greater than what my 24-year-old account has available. I now need to pay for the funeral itself, casket, crypt (she will be in a mausoleum), etc. I will not stop at anything to take care of her the way she took care of me for my entire life as a widow, and as a survivor.
I ask you... her friends, and loved ones. If Roxanne made you smile, laugh, or if even hearing her story made you look at life in a different way, please donate. I am not normally one to ask for help, but any contribution will help remember her name. She had a gift of bringing joy, and helping others. Now I truly believe God has given us the opportunity to help her as she did for us. Personally, there is no way I can repay her for giving me life as a mother and my best friend. However with your help I can try.
Any amount- small or large- will help make this memorial possible. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers during this time. As for me I have to remember her life's motto..."Everything happens for a reason." Please help me make this possible and remember this beautiful angel that has now joined the rest of my family in Heaven.
I love you all more than I can express, and thank you for standing with me during this difficult time. Thank you in advance for your donations.
***UPDATE: I recently found out the cost for transport and her crypt in California was far more than anticipated. Please continue to help, and I am beyond grateful for all of the love and donations thus far.***
Organizer
Alyssa Kamel
Organizer
Franklin, TN
