Dear Friends,

It is with heavy hearts that we come together to support Roxann Naeger and her three beautiful daughters, Maggie, Josie, and Lucie, during a profoundly difficult time. This past weekend, Roxann’s husband, Darrell, passed away unexpectedly, leaving a gap that can never be filled.

Roxann, known to many as Coach Naeger, is not only a passionate coach for Ursuline and Gateway field hockey but also a dedicated teacher at ICD Catholic School in O’Fallon. Her commitment to her students and athletes exemplifies her caring nature and the positive impact she has made in our community. Darrell was always by her side, cheering from the sidelines, sharing in the joy of their daughters’ achievements, and embracing the love of sports with an enthusiasm that was contagious.

Darrell had a deep passion for soccer, a love that not only enriched his life but also brought him closer to his girls and the STL community. He dedicated hours as a referee for CYC soccer and was eagerly anticipating the opportunity to continue this fall. As a coach, he played a significant role Josie's development, guiding her through her early years and into grade school with teams like The Stars, Missouri Rush, and Lou Fusz. He also coached Lucie at the Hawks and Maggie at JB Marine, nurturing their love for the game. Even after Josie and Lucie had moved on from youth soccer, Darrell stayed at Lou Fusz, passionately coaching girls' soccer, ensuring that his love for the game continued to impact young athletes.

Darrell loved sports and loved his girls even more. His willingness to learn new skills to support his daughters is a testament to this love. As Roxann and the girls were sharing stories, they talked about how Darrell learned how to use a FH stick so that he could hit back and forth with them before and after practices. For anyone who knew Darrell, these stories come as no surprise… nothing brought him more joy than watching Roxann passionately coach during playoffs, or watching Josie, Maggie, and Lucie score a game winning goal.

As Roxann and her girls navigate this challenging journey ahead, we are reaching out to the Ursuline community, the Gateway field hockey family, and ICD to rally around them. We are seeking to raise funds to help cover the costs of funeral expenses and ongoing support for the family as they adjust to life without Darrell.

Your support, no matter the amount, will have a meaningful impact on the Naeger family during this trying time. Every contribution helps ease the financial burdens they are facing and reminds them that they are surrounded by a community that cares deeply.

Please consider donating and sharing this page with your friends and family. Let’s unite to show Roxann, Maggie, Josie, and Lucie that they are not alone, and that we stand with them in love and support.

Together, we can uplift the Naeger family, honoring Darrell’s memory and ensuring that Roxann and her daughters feel the warmth and strength of our community around them. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.