Obituary of Roxanne T. King

It is with great sorrow that her children announce the passing of Roxanne Talley King, 90, of Wilmington, DE on April 7, 2026. Roxanne was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and lived in the suburban Philadelphia, PA area since 1969. She was predeceased by her beloved parents, Bernard and Emma Talley, her cherished siblings, Evelyn Hankins and Bernard Talley, Jr., and dear cousins. She was also preceded in death by her infant twin sons and Francis King, Jr., the father of their children. She is survived by her loving children and their partners: Claire King (Margaret Gilbride), Martha King (Paul Wilderson), Mary Jo King, Joseph King (Patricia King), and Paula King (Michael Oprysko); her three grandchildren, Daniel, Kelly, and Marshall King; her nephew, nieces, grand-nephews, sister-in-law, numerous extended family and friends. Roxanne completed high school at Notre Dame Preparatory School, Baltimore, earned her undergraduate degree in psychology at Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, and obtained master's degrees in special education at Columbia University's Teachers College, New York, and in theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. Roxanne's remarkable teaching career spanned decades, including at the Lexington School for the Deaf in Manhattan, the William S. Baer School in Baltimore, St. John Chrysostom Catholic School in Wallingford, and followed by a long and notable tenure in deaf education as a teacher of the hearing impaired with the Delaware County Intermediate Unit in PA. She was also a certified lip reader and an oral interpreter and actively involved in several related professional organizations. She mentored many new teachers and established deep bonds with her colleagues. She was well-remembered by her many students. Roxanne's faith and relationship with God permeated her daily life and she chose to live with grace and gratitude. She completed a six-year lay diaconate formation program with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, was an extraordinary minister, lector, catechist, faith-sharing group leader, and parish council member at St. John's and The Church of the Holy Child in Wilmington. Roxanne was a strong advocate for leadership roles for women in the Church. She believed in giving back and regularly donated blood, walked in charity walkathons, and served as a volunteer at the Rachel Kohl Library, Longwood Gardens, and Fox Hill Farms. She advocated tirelessly for the National League of POW/MIA Families, served as Judge of Elections for her voting district, and was a representative at Garnet Valley School Board meetings. Roxanne was blessed with a broad circle of friends with whom she played bridge, knitted, volunteered, traveled, took classes, and enjoyed nature hikes. She delighted in hosting friends at Fox Hill Farms and welcomed new neighbors to the community where her annual start-of-summer muffin parties were legendary. In retirement, Roxanne took on a part-time job as a new construction greeter for McKee Builders. She used those earnings to fund her world travels. Roxanne was proud to have explored six of the seven continents, 25 countries, and nearly every U.S. state. She documented her travels, reflecting both her curiosity about other cultures and her universal love of children, in colorful and humorous commentary—experiences she continued to revisit with joy as her own memory declined. As much as she loved the journey, Roxanne was always happy and ready to return home. We know without a doubt that she made it home. Roxanne's children extend their sincere appreciation to her compassionate caregivers and fellow residents at Wesley Way Memory Care unit where she resided since 2019 at ACTS Country House in Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM with a visitation in the hour preceding at The Church of the Holy Child, Wilmington, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roxanne's memory may be made to the St.Vincent de Paul Society. Online condolences may be shared at www.paganofuneralhome.com.