By: Elena Mart

At 84 years young, Roxsane Tiernan has embarked on yet another journey—this time through her memoir Zip, where she reflects on her life’s adventures, passions, and personal growth. Known for her boundless energy and vivid memory, Tiernan’s life has been marked by movement, a rich tapestry of experiences, and the rare ability to remember it all. From her work as an educator to her lifelong devotion to the Girl Guides, Zip captures her life’s highs and lows with incredible clarity.

A Life in Motion

The title Zip is more than a catchy moniker; it’s a reflection of Roxsane’s life philosophy. As she recalls, the nickname “Ever Ready Bunny” is fitting. Her memoir chronicles a life of constant motion and engagement, where each chapter seems to be marked by both literal and metaphorical movement. “I was always on the go, taking every opportunity that came my way,” Roxsane reflects. From her early days in British Columbia to her extensive travels across continents, Tiernan’s life reads as an homage to curiosity, resilience, and the thrill of new horizons.

Roxsane Tiernan’s journey began in Greater Vancouver and led to a career in education that combined teaching with cultural exchange. Living and working in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Mexico, she gained diverse perspectives that deeply influenced her worldview and inspired her later creative pursuits, especially in visual art.

Girl Guides: A Lifelong Anchor

The Girl Guides organization has been nothing short of a lifelong anchor for Tiernan. “Girl Guides has been my religion,” she shares, illustrating the organization’s role in her formative years and throughout adulthood. From the age of fourteen, when she first joined, to her pivotal role in organizing international camps, Girl Guides provided her with a community and a cause. In Zip, she recounts memorable experiences, such as leading a handcrafts program for over 2,500 participants at an international camp in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and later organizing a similar event in West Sussex. These experiences kindled her “travel bug,” sparking a desire to explore the world and serve an international community.

Through Girl Guides, Tiernan developed a sense of empathy and purpose that would stay with her for a lifetime. She recalls meeting Lady Baden Powell, a defining moment that further deepened her commitment to the organization. This dedication was mirrored when she helped bring the Serendipity camp to British Columbia, hosting participants from nine countries. For Roxsane, these gatherings were about more than crafts and songs; they were opportunities to foster global understanding and connection.

Unfaltering Resilience in Life’s Trials

As much as Zip celebrates life’s adventures, it does not shy away from its sorrows. Tiernan’s life has been marked by deep personal losses and trials, from the passing of her youngest daughter due to a brain tumor to the sudden death of her ex-husband. She also faced health challenges, including a kidney stone, and undertook multiple demanding roles, including substitute teaching, running for local council, and eventually completing her Bachelor of Education.

In these moments, Roxsane’s resilient spirit shines through. “Soldiers don’t cry,” she remembers her mother telling her as a child, instilling a toughness that would both help and challenge her in later years. It wasn’t until she reached her mid-40s that she allowed herself to release this emotional armor, learning to express her pain and joy more freely. Her poetry collection Art and Soul became a means for her to process these emotions, offering readers a glimpse into her inner world through verse.

Artistic Explorations: The Discovery of Chigiri-e

Tiernan’s artistic journey transformed when she discovered Chigiri-e, a traditional Japanese torn-paper collage technique, during a stay in Japan. This medium became a turning point, providing her with a tactile and expressive outlet through the textures and colors of paper. Mastering and teaching Chigiri-e boosted her confidence and deepened her appreciation for its beauty. Today, Tiernan integrates Japanese papers with acrylics to create vibrant mixed-media art that reflects her love for color, texture, and storytelling.

Life Lessons and the Search for Meaning

In Zip, Roxsane Tiernan reflects on life lessons shaped by self-belief, mutual respect, and resilience. She emphasizes universal human needs—respect, understanding, and basic necessities—and highlights the importance of empathy, humility, and kindness, values cultivated through teaching, travel, and diverse interactions. Despite facing challenges, Tiernan remains hopeful, guided by her faith in a higher power, which she turns to for both everyday and profound guidance. Her spirituality adds depth and grace to her memoir, underscoring the interconnected themes of reflection and growth.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Zip is a testament to Roxsane Tiernan’s indefatigable spirit, rich memory, and zest for life. Her experiences, recounted with honesty and humor, reveal a woman who has survived and thrived, transforming her challenges into sources of strength. For readers, Zip offers more than an autobiography; it is an invitation to view life as an adventure, a series of lessons, and an opportunity for continuous growth.

At 84, Roxsane Tiernan continues to create, inspire, and share her wisdom. With more projects ahead, including a potential sequel, her memoir Zip offers both personal stories and universal lessons, encouraging readers to embrace life with gratitude and curiosity. Her work urges us to live fully, love deeply, and believe in ourselves.

For those inspired by Roxsane Tiernan’s vibrant journey, captivating art, and profound storytelling, you can explore and follow her work through her various platforms. 

Her artwork is available for viewing and purchase at roxssart.com, and she frequently shares updates on Instagram at @roxsane3 and on her Facebook page, Roxsane Tiernan Artist. 

Reach into her writing and life journey on her author sites: Strikingly Author Page and her Official Author Website. Connect with Roxsane and be part of her ongoing creative adventure.

Explore “ZIP,” journey through “ZIPPING ALONG,” and stay tuned for the upcoming “ZIPPED”—all in progress and coming your way soon!

Published by: Holy Minoza