RoxAnn J. Haynes

RoxAnn J. Haynes was born on June 6, 1934, in Arlington, Massachusetts, to Alta Maxine McCray and Leroy Osborne Sapp. Her birthplace, Arlington, was a historic community in Middlesex County that had originally been settled in 1635 as the village of Menotomy. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, RoxAnn would develop the resilience and warmth that would define her throughout her long life.

Her educational journey began to flourish at Waltham High School, where she truly distinguished herself. RoxAnn earned academic awards and achieved the remarkable dual honor of being voted both prom queen and head cheerleader. These accomplishments reflected not only her academic excellence but also her natural leadership abilities and the genuine warmth that made her beloved by her peers. Most importantly, it was at Waltham High School that she met Frederick M. Haynes, whom she would later describe as "the love of her life".

Following her graduation from Waltham High School, RoxAnn pursued higher education at Boston University, one of New England's most prestigious institutions. She graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, preparing herself for a career dedicated to teaching and nurturing young minds. Boston University's long-standing commitment to inclusive education regardless of gender, race, or religion aligned perfectly with RoxAnn's own values of connection and service to others.

Armed with her education degree, RoxAnn embarked on what would prove to be a challenging but rewarding teaching career in rural Vermont. She accepted a position at Rabbit Hollow School on the outskirts of Northfield, Vermont, where she taught all grades K-6 in a single classroom. This one-room schoolhouse arrangement was already becoming rare by the 1950s, with Vermont having only eight such schools remaining by the early 1980s. The demanding nature of teaching multiple grade levels simultaneously required exceptional organizational skills, adaptability, and classroom management—qualities that RoxAnn possessed in abundance.

Her time in Vermont coincided with her husband Frederick's completion of his degree at Norwich University. Frederick was a distinguished student-athlete at Norwich, serving as captain of the 1957 football squad and earning All-State honors in football as well as All-New England status in hockey. His extensive campus involvement included serving as class vice-president for four years and chairing the Honor Committee. Following his graduation and completion of parachute training at Fort Benning, Georgia, the couple returned to Massachusetts to establish their family.

In 1968, a significant opportunity arose that would reshape the trajectory of RoxAnn's life. She and Frederick moved to Denver, Colorado, where they would build what would become a highly successful business enterprise. Frederick founded Haynes Trane Services Agency, Inc. in 1968, and RoxAnn played a crucial role in helping him build the successful business. Located in Englewood, Colorado, the company grew to become a major HVAC service provider throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

The business proved remarkably successful under their partnership. What began as a Trane franchisee operation eventually evolved into Haynes Mechanical Systems, generating an estimated annual revenue of $45-56 million. Frederick's business acumen was complemented by RoxAnn's support and partnership, creating a foundation that would sustain them for decades. Frederick also achieved significant prominence in Denver's business community, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Denver Nuggets NBA basketball team and as a councilman in Greenwood Village.

Throughout her Colorado years, those who knew RoxAnn remembered her as "lively and vivacious, with a warmth that made her instantly beloved". Her inquisitive nature and genuine interest in others allowed her to connect effortlessly with everyone she met. In Massachusetts, Vermont, and eventually Colorado, friends knew her as "the vibrant spirit who could easily light up any gathering". Her laughter was described as contagious, a gift that brought joy to countless lives.

RoxAnn was described as "a devoted sister, friend, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose life was defined by her unwavering commitment to those she loved". Her marriage to Frederick proved to be extraordinarily enduring, spanning more than seventy years. Together, they created what the family described as "a legacy rooted in devotion and family".

Faith played an important role in RoxAnn's life, as evidenced by her memorial service being held at Christ Church Denver. The family's request that donations be made "in RoxAnn's name to your favorite charity" rather than sending flowers reflected values of community service and charitable giving that characterized her approach to living.

RoxAnn J. Haynes passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, at her home surrounded by the love of her family. She was 91 years old, having witnessed and participated in nearly nine decades of American social, technological, and cultural transformation. Her life spanned from the Great Depression through the early decades of the 21st century, encompassing a remarkable period of change and progress.

The obituary noted that "RoxAnn's life was a testament to connecting with others; her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched". This final tribute captured the essence of a woman whose defining characteristic was her ability to form meaningful connections with people from all walks of life. From her early days as a standout student and social leader at Waltham High School, through her pioneering work as a rural educator in Vermont, to her decades of partnership in building a successful Colorado business, RoxAnn Haynes exemplified a life lived with purpose, warmth, and unwavering commitment to family and community.