Roxinne Anne McPhail

With profound sorrow and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved sister, aunt, and daughter, Roxinne A. McPhail, who left us peacefully on January 22, 2025.

Roxinne embodied creativity, generosity, loyalty, love and an amazing sense of adventure. She was passionate about art, interior design, travel, real estate, rural life, all things culinary and of course, her four-legged fur babies. Roxinne embodied tenacity, resourcefulness and an entrepreneurial spirit. She could see opportunities when others could not. Her bold dreams had no limits. As family and friends, we will miss her dearly.

Roxinne was born in Kelowna, British Columbia, on September 12, 1961. As a child, the family took the opportunity to relocate to Australia where Roxinne spent 10 formative years. The McPhail family made lifelong friends in Canberra and Melbourne. That experience inspired Roxinne in her travel adventures as an adult, including returning to work for a year in Australia after college and an epic car trip along the beautiful Australian coast.

Another job transfer took the family from Australia to San Diego in 1976 (after a brief stint in Minneapolis) where the family put down deep roots. Roxinne finished high school there before moving to San Francisco. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Business, Cum Laude, from San Francisco State University, 1986. Roxinne spent 15 years in “The City” working in restaurant operations where she aligned herself with some of the famous chefs of the day.

Roxinne adored her two nieces, Lauren and Sarah. In 1995, she moved back to San Diego to be closer to them and was an instrumental part of their childhoods. She embodied the “Fun Aunt” role: she answered every call, was an avid listener and source of advice, and was a relentless champion for their dreams and endeavors. No big decision was ever made without the consultation of Aunty Roxinne. Lauren and Sarah treasure their many adventures, memories and stories shared with her.

After the girls went off to college, it was time for a new adventure. Always a fan of the countryside and not afraid of chilly weather, Roxinne moved to Bismarck, North Dakota to pursue a lifelong dream of living on a farm. She went to work for the North Dakota Department of Transportation, parlaying her real estate and business skills in the Real Estate Acquisitions Department. As a Right of Way Realty Officer, she enjoyed working with local landowners and making an impact across communities. She earned advanced real estate designations and received many accolades during her tenure at the DOT.

Growing up, Roxinne, with her sisters and cousins, spent summers exploring the prairies of Manitoba, Canada (usually on horseback) from their grandparent’s farm near Belmont, Manitoba. These beloved memories and experiences of rural life were always in her thoughts and plans. So when at last she found her own forever farm just outside McClusky, ND, she was home. 

She made the place hers, both inside and out, with her gifts of resourcefulness and the can-do attitude it takes to live and thrive on a farm of your own. She spent these last happy years welcoming family and friends to her farm. 

She enjoyed the serene countryside landscapes, quiet evenings, and ample space for her country dogs and cat to explore. Her time as the owner of the Blue Thistle Motel in town found her engaged with the community merchant’s association, volunteering for local events, and becoming a respected member of the community.

As a result of many travels and moves, she had family and friends around the world: Canada, Australia, California, Nevada, Florida, Scotland, North Dakota and more. And passports full of stamps to show for it. Blessedly, many of us were able to see her within these last six months. She was excited about future projects, trips, and seeing retirement within reach. 

Roxinne’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed.

Roxinne is survived by her father, Robert McPhail, of San Diego, California; her sisters, Janice McPhail Trott, of San Diego, California, and Karen McKeller, of Saint Petersburg, Florida; and her nieces, Lauren Gabele and Sarah Trott. She was predeceased by her mother, Ellen Osowetski McPhail.

A Celebration of Roxinne’s life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Hillside Cemetery, Belmont, MB.   Following the interment, a reception will be held in the Belmont Community Hall.  Everyone is welcome.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in Roxinne’s memory to Furry Friends Rockin’ Rescue at Bismarck, ND, (www.furryfriendsrockinrescue.org)

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