Dear CWSE Community,
It is with great sadness that we write to let you know that after a short battle with cancer, Roxana Ng, head of the CWSE and faculty member in the Adult Education and Community Development department at OISE, passed away last night, surrounded by friends and family.
The CWSE will hold open community space all this week for everyone who wishes to join us in remembering and mourning Roxana. The CWSE will be open Monday to Thursday, 12-5pm each day (room 2-225, OISE building).
We will have photos of Roxana, tea and snacks, and a tree to decorate with words of remembrance and love for Roxana. It will be a co-creative space and we welcome your input and creativity; if there is a way in which you wish to remember Roxana, or you simply need quiet space to grieve, please email us at jamie.ryckman@utoronto.ca or angelasabrina.lytle@utoronto.ca. Helping hands are always appreciated, and we look forward to remembering Roxana in community.
The funeral will take place this Saturday, January 19, from 2-5pm, at the Newediuk Funeral Home, 2058 Kipling Avenue, Toronto, M9W 4J9. There is a tribute page for Roxana with details of the service and the opportunity to donate to a charity of your choice in Roxana’s name.
Roxana requested that donations be made to InterPares in lieu of flowers (www.interpares.ca).
The obituary will appear Wednesday, January 16 in both the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star.
A memorial of Roxana’s life and work will take place on May 28, 5-8pm, at the OISE library, main floor, 252 Bloor St W. Further details TBA.
We are also requesting photographs, stories, and words of tribute for a website that will be constructed in honour of Roxana and her work. If you wish to contribute, please email your photos and stories to jamie.ryckman@utoronto.ca or angelasabrina.lytle@utoronto.ca.
Finally, Roxana was honoured January 15 in a motion at Toronto City Council. Thank you to Councillors Krystin Wong-Tam and Pam McConnell for this condolence motion. The motion can be read here.
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Jamie Ryckman, Angela Lytle, and Jamie Magnusson