The eldest daughter of Raymond L. Roe and Evelyn B. Roe, she was born on Nov. 17, 1946, in Camden, N.J., and grew up in Yuma, Ariz. After graduating from Arizona State University, she began her teaching career at Huntington Beach Crestview Elementary School, where she taught for 18 years, inspiring countless young minds.
In 1986, she moved to Idyllwild, Calif., where she continued her teaching career with the Hemet Unified School District for another 17 years. She retired in 2003, after a 35-year-career in education, but remained active in Idyllwild, volunteering for the Idyllwild Nature Center and various other organizations in the community, including the Mountain Community Patrol, teaching English as a second language and adult computer classes. She continued working as an Idyllwild substitute teacher, taught creative writing and poetry classes for young people through the library, and designed the elementary school yearbook. Her real passion in retirement was serving as president of the Friends of the Idyllwild Library, where she helped the library grow.
She is survived by her loving sister, Carolyn Axline, and brother-in-law, Harry L. Axline, of Pearland, Texas; nephews Jason Axline of San Antonio, Texas, Jeffery Axline of Austin, Texas; and Joshua Axline and his wife, Jackie, and their daughter, Kaelynn Axline, of Oak Harbor, Wash. She will be sorely missed.
A celebration of her life will be held in Idyllwild on Sunday, Sept. 11, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the home of Bronwyn Jones, 25220 Palomar Road. Please RSVP to (951) 659-7064.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Idyllwild Library or the Idyllwild Nature Center in memory of Rayelle Roe.
