Roxanne Sparr Harrison

Roxanne Sparr Harrison, beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, musician and teacher, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away surrounded by love on June 22, 2022. Roxanne was born on July 31, 1933, to Kenneth & Lillian Sparr and spent most of her childhood years in the Geneva, Ohio, area before moving to Xenia Township at the beginning of her senior year of high school. After graduating from Xenia High School, Roxanne went on to attend Denison University, then The Ohio State University, ultimately earning degrees in both English and music.

Roxanne was the organist for Christ Episcopal Church in Xenia for over 50 years, and she was the beloved music teacher to countless students in the Greene County area for almost as long. Roxanne's love for both music and people shone through in her teaching, and she leaves behind a musical legacy that her family will forever cherish.

Roxanne married Jack Harrison, her high school sweetheart, in 1955, and together they had four children: Leeanne, Jack, Lesli & Ginger. Roxanne was a doting mother who loved her children and was the most adored Nana to her many grandchildren.

Roxanne was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Deanne Miller, and a daughter, Ginger Harrison. She is survived by her children: Leeanne (Jay) Stookey, Jack Harrison, and Lesli (David) Fitzpatrick; grandchildren: Andy (Rose-Marie) Bradley, Lillian Jennings, Brittaney Harrison, Michelle (Brandon) Evans, Claire Fitzpatrick, Molly Schultz, Jay (Andrea) Stookey Jr, Laura (Kaitlynn) Stookey, Meghan Fitzpatrick, and Bexley Harrison; great-grandchildren: Alexandra Folkerth; Roxanne & Jacob Jennings; Robby & Aaron Bradley; Sophie, Brayden & Brooklynne Stankosky; Grace Gilliam; Addie Farley; Kinley, Kaleb & Kaylee Schultz; Rossalyn & Bryce Evans; Tatum & Tre Stookey; and Avery Mellott; and one great-great-grandson: Augustus Bradley.

Roxanne's life will be celebrated at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Christ Episcopal Church, 63 East Church St., Xenia, OH. An Episcopal Mass will be held in her honor, followed immediately by a reception at the church.

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Marilyn Roxanne Sparr-Harrison
returned to the nearer-presence of God, in the midst of her loving family, on June 22, 2022. A service in honor of her life shall be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, @ 1:00 @ Christ Episcopal Church, Xenia, OH.

Roxanne spent her early years in northern OH, Geneva & Chagrin Falls, surrounded by her parents, Kenneth Wilder Sparr & Lillian Payer-Sparr, grandparents & a bevy of aunts & uncles. She is predeceased by a daughter, Cynthia Virginia Harrison(Ginger),
her parents & sister, Helen Deanne Miller.
Roxanne is survived by three children, Lee Anne Stookey, Jack Sparr-Harrison & Lesli Elaine Fitzpatrick, as well as, 9 grandchild-
ren & 15 great-grandchildren.

The entirety of Roxanne's life manifests her mastery of musicianship, fine Arts & theatre. Cultivated in a family of Central European/Germanic heritage, she was provided every opportunity to develop said talents. By the age of 4, she was hammering-out tunes on her grandparents' pianos. Thus, she earns her own piano & a long-life's mission of celebrity & teaching.

Dance, vocal, baton, drama, speech, debate team, violin & accordian, to name but a few of the arts she mastered, Roxanne soon outgrew the availability of advanced instructors in the local area. So, her mother contacted her alma mater, Case Western Reserve University, & thus began Roxanne's college experience @ the age of 13. This early experience served as a springboard into the fulfillment of her music career.

After moving to Xenia, OH in 1950, upon her father's transfer to Citizen's 1st Nat. Bank, (Key Bank), she graduated from Xenia High School in 1951 & began her continued college career @ Denison University. She then graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in music education. After completing her student teaching, she continued her education @ The Ohio State University, earning advanced degrees in performance, pipe organ, concert piano & vocal, in 1955.

Planning a teaching career, she was offered jobs, but purely on a whim, when noticed by a talent scout, decided to try out. She accepted the offer performing for Boeing Aircraft. She was on her way, where the "jetstream" would take her she was not sure.

Of course balancing family & career in the 1950's, for a young woman, was much tougher than today. In a nutshell, Roxanne was discovered by talent agent, Barney Rapp in Cincinnati, OH, whom had recemtly orchestrated the career of Doris Kappelhoff (Doris Day), with whom she spent time in starting her career. Roxanne performed many venues in Cincinnati. Dayton & Columbus. In Atlanta & Columbus GA, she performed on television programs suchas, "Name That Tune," where she performed the music on the locally-televised game show. Upon the urging of fellow-performers the Mcguire Sisters,Doris Day & others, she met a group of talent scouts @ Estes Park, CO, wherein she performed & was offered a lifetime career opportunity in Hollywood.

Family Vs. Career, that is the question still facing women & families of today. She decided upon full-time family & CAREER.
The compromise was the nutrturance of a LOCAL CAREER, where she could do both.

Roxanne established Keyboard Music Studio in Beavercreek Twp., where she lived & taught for 60 years. She also served as pipe organist/music director @ Christ Episcopal Church for 60 years.

Roxanne was a member of the Daughter's of the American Revolution, The Royal Conservatory, The College Music Society, National Association of Music Education, Music Teachers National Association, & Christ Episcopal Church, to name but a few.