Roxana “Roxi” Bertolina

Roxana (Roxi) Bertolina passed away at her Salt Lake City home sometime during the night or early dawn of Thursday, July 18, 2024, free to finally soar unshackled from a long and trying battle with diabetes and its ravaging side effects. 

Roxana, or Roxi as she later preferred, was born just before the arrival of spring, in March of1957.  She was the first of two precious gifts delivered into the arms of her loving and grateful parents, Charles and Mary Bertolina, who had eagerly awaited her arrival for many years. Roxi was a joyful and quick-witted child, and she and her younger sister, Margaret, grew up happily spending their childhoods together, living in the Avenues area of Salt Lake City, making indelible memories.

After attending The Cathedral of the Madeleine and Our Lady of Lourdes grade schools, Roxi completed her Catholic education at Judge Memorial High School, graduating with the class of 1975. She made many lifelong friends along the way with whom she continued to remain in contact.

Following a brief stint at the University of Utah, Roxi began working in the insurance business.  Little did she know that it would be a decision that would shape her career path for the remainder of her life.  Soon after, she was offered a position with Travelers Insurance in Connecticut, which she readily accepted.  And, like the adventurous trooper she always was, she packed her belongings into her car, said farewell to family and friends, and headed eastward, where she would remain most of her adult life. Roxi advanced to the position of senior project manager/business analyst at United Health Group, which she still held at the time of her death.   

Roxi had a love for all things Victorian and was an old soul when it came to movies and music – preferring Fly Me to the Moon over any current hit song.  She was also extremely proud of her Italian heritage and liked to cook up a storm.  Her joyful and quick-witted demeanor was a constant in all that she tackled and loved. She would never get down with a mishap, and instead would spin it into a delightful and humorous story which you could not help but chuckle over. And she took on every difficult step she faced with her diabetes in the same manner. Through countless hospitalizations, dialysis treatments, and deliveries of bad news, she still found a way to laugh, accept, and often unbelievably bounce back – much akin to a cat with nine lives!  

When it became too difficult for her mother to care for herself, Roxi returned to her childhood home and continued to work remotely.  Little did we know that she also needed care.  The family is most grateful for the help of the visiting care providers and her most wonderful neighbors, Kim and Roberta, for the time, attention, support and acts of kindness they continually gave to both Mary and Roxi.

Roxi was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary, and two most special nephews, William and Craig Rodby.  She is survived by her sister, Margaret (Maggie) Bertolina Baker, her niece, Erica Rodby, three grandnephews, and a host of loving extended family.

A graveside service for family and close friends will be held Thursday, August 1, 10:00 AM at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U Street, SLC, UT, under the care and direction of Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home, Grantsville, Utah.  A celebration of Roxi’s life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity or organization or another act of kindness.