Roslyn Stephen

Roslyn Langkilde Stephen, age 88, passed away on April 8, 2025, with her family by her side. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, godmother and friend, Roslyn dedicated her life to God and her family - including her extended “aiga.” Born on April 6, 1937 in Savalalo, Apia, Samoa, Roslyn was the daughter of Jane Suluafi’aulama (née Fruean) and Wilhelm “Willy” Hans Langkilde. Roslyn began her studies at St. Mary’s Catholic School for girls in Savalalo, and completed her primary school education in Fiji. She then enrolled in Commercial studies and was one of the first recipients of the Apia Scholar award in 1953. Later she pursued religious studies in Australia before embarking on a secretarial career which took her to New Zealand, the United States, and American Samoa. Notably, Roslyn was the first woman to ever work for the police department in Samoa (as secretary to the police chief), managed the typing pool at Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco, and eventually rose to the position of Secretary to the Governor of American Samoa. Much later in life, she went back to school to complete her GED at Delaware Community College in Pennsylvania, USA. A natural athlete, Roslyn played netball in her youth, and represented Samoa in netball at the first South Pacific Games held in Fiji in 1963. She was an avid tennis player for many years, but got greatest enjoyment out of playing sports and games - especially board games - with her grandsons. In 1968, Roslyn married Norman Stephen, a native of Scotland. They started a life together raising their three children, Scott and Kelsie, born in American Samoa, and Therese, born on Guam, before moving to Indonesia. The family later emigrated to the United States in 1983, living in New Jersey and Pennsylvania before settling in North Carolina in 2003. Over the years, Roslyn expressed her devotion to her Catholic faith and served the Church in many ways. She was a founding member of the Expatriate Catholic Women’s Association in Indonesia, taught CCD to school children, and sang as a Cantor and Choir member at various parishes in Indonesia and the US. Roslyn joined the Legion of Mary at St. Monica’s in Berwyn, PA, visiting the sick and elderly of the parish. She helped expand the Legion of Mary to St. Isaac Jogues Church in Valley Forge, PA and continued to serve as an auxiliary member of St. Matthews Legion of Mary in Charlotte, NC. Roslyn’s many travels gave her treasured opportunities to visit and speak with relatives all over the world whose stories she committed to memory, becoming a keeper of knowledge about her and her husband’s family histories. Genuinely curious and compassionate, she made deep and lasting friendships that she kept up for decades through her love of letter writing. Roslyn is survived by her husband of over 56 years, Norm; and her three children: Scott (Jennifer) of Waxhaw, NC; Kelsie of Holly Springs, NC; and Therese “Tressa” of Holly Springs, NC. She also leaves behind her siblings: Lavender “Vicki” Gentles of Sydney, Australia; and Agnes Jane “Tanki” Ili (George) of El Monte, CA; and her four grandsons: Jack, Campbell, David and Marcus; along with many nieces and nephews, extended family and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and three siblings who did not survive childhood: Valdemar Hans, Gary, and Roslyn Therese. Roslyn will be missed by many who were blessed to truly know her. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, April 16th, 11:00 am, at St. Andrews Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Road, Apex, NC 27502. Following the mass will be a Committal Service at Wake Memorial Park 7002 Green Hope School Road, Cary, NC 27519. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in Roslyn’s honor.

Roslyn Stephen

April 6, 1937 - April 8, 2025