**Michael's memorial speech given in Minneapolis at Roxy's final resting place**
Roxy and I are blessed with five wonderful children, Amy, Rob, Laura, Evan and Leslie and four grandchildren, Reese, Riley, Aela and Kendall. As if that wasn’t enough blessing for one person, I have Reese and Riley’s incredible Mom Rachel and two amazing sons-in-law, Kendall’s Dad Phil and Aela’s Dad Matt. Before she passed, Roxy was able to see the two babies, Aela and Kendall. I know it brought her much joy. All of my children insisted on being here to support me, but I said no. They were all there for Roxy and me during Roxy's long fight. They were at my side when Roxy took her last breath and they held me and comforted me when I was beside myself. They were always there when I needed them, but today I have wonderful friends around me and that's what I needed now.
Rich Rosenberg and his beautiful wife Micki are here today. 36 years ago, I broke Ritchie's heart when his boys were shipped off to California with their mother Roxy to start a new life. Roxy and I lived with that guilt all these years. I can only hope that he knows they were raised in a loving home. They always knew who their dad was and Roxy and I tried hard to include Richie in every important event and give him his rightful place as Rob and Evans father. He has his new family with Micki and his daughter Aaron who just got married...congratulations!
The 1st time I saw Roxy she took my breath away. It was Feb. 14th, 1962.and we had been fixed up by mutual friends. I knocked on the door, she opened it up and I saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I'm sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights!
Later, I asked her to go to my senior prom. She wore a beautiful blue flowered party dress when I picked her up. She took my breath away. When we got married at our Rabbi’s house and I saw her standing there with loving eyes locked to mine, she took my breath away. The first time I came home from work and she greeted me at the door looking like an angel, she took my breath away.
I had Roxy for 35 years. Walking beside her, I felt like a king. The final day of her life, when she lay there ...so frail, so small, so beautiful, she took my breath away. And when she took her last breath, she took my heart away.
Most of you know her as a larger than life personality filled with life and joy who cried at movies and TV commercials, laughed at my crazy jokes. But underneath that large personality was a kind, caring sensitive woman who was a great friend to all who knew her, a wonderful and loving mother and my best friend. She had a way of making everything in life, no matter how ordinary, a wonderful story and adventure. She would tell me stories of her day and make a trip to the grocery store seem like the adventure of a lifetime.
She loved her family. When anyone needed something, she came through. She never turned away a friend. If you were in need of comforting or just someone to help out, Roxy was always there. When Micki’s mom died, Roxy was on the next plane. You did not have to ask her she just did it. Her whole life is filled with stories like that.
She survived breast cancer and made a commitment to help others get through those difficult times. She spent hours on the phone helping strangers get through the ordeals of breast cancer. She gave of herself and her time freely and willingly. Whether it was convenient or not never mattered. She felt that it was a mitzvah if she could help others. Her parents lived at our house for three years. They were both old and sick. Never was there a mention of rest homes. She took care of them without a complaint though I know it was incredibly hard on her both physically and emotionally.
Co-workers who were short on rent money or could not afford to fix their cars came to Roxy for help. She never said no. Sometimes they paid her back and sometimes not. I would ask her why she would lend money to someone who did not pay her back. She said simply, "because they needed it more than I did,"
And what a courageous woman! No matter how sick she was, she always thought of other’s well- being first.
My wonderful and dear friend Micki came to see Roxy during her illness, but Roxy was mostly in a coma. When she finally awoke and I told her that Micki was here all week to see her and comfort her, Roxy wanted to be sure that I had taken Micki out and had some fun! When our friend Marilyn came out to visit Roxy, she was a little better and the two of them got to talk about old times. Again Roxy wanted to be sure I showed her a good time.
When Roxy's sister Sheila's husband Joel died, Roxy insisted that I go to Mpls to help Sheila. I told her it was out of the question. I needed to stay with her. Roxy said Sheila and Joel have both come out here many times and Joel was sick too, but he still came and helped me. Joel was your friend and Sheila needs your help. I will be just fine. You must go...no questions! Roxy was so sick, but helping Sheila was the most important thing.
Roxy taught me more about being a righteous person than anyone else in my life. The day she died, I made a promise to her that I would live my life in a way that would make her proud. I pray I can live up to that.
Roxy and I shared a great love story. She was my soul-mate. She never gave up until her last breath. And to the end, she took my breath away.