ROBERTS
Doris Evelyn passed away on Wednesday November 25, 2015 while a resident at the Red Deer Hospice, Red Deer, AB. Before hospice care, her family had lovingly cared for her at home, as she fought her battle with cancer. Doris was especially blessed to have daughter Vicki, stay with her at her home, delivering round the clock care.
She was born on July 1, 1930 the last of six children to Dona and Jim Harwood. Doris was the youngest in the family, and she shared a strong bond with her oldest sister, Myrt, a relationship which endured throughout all of Doris's life.
On June 29, 1949, she married her childhood sweetheart Ted Roberts, in Strathmore, AB, where they had both grown up. They began their married life in Calgary, where Doug, was born in 1951, then daughter Vicki, in 1953, and son, Don, in 1956. Missing the small town life, they later took the opportunity to move back to Strathmore to help on the Harwood Farm. In 1961, they acquired their own farm in Byemoor. Doris loved curling, gardening, beating Ted and friends in crib and lively conversation around her kitchen table. And nothing brought her more joy, than participating in her grandchildren's upbringing, despite the additional grey hair that resulted from that participation.
In their adult years, Doug and Don remained close to the farm, while Vicki followed her heart and dreams to carve out her own life in Golden, BC. Ted and Doris, took every opportunity to take camping trips to visit, and share her beautiful mountain home. Ted and Doris remained on the farm until the spring of 2004, when they moved to their condo in Stettler. Later, due to Ted's declining health, they took up residence in Red Deer, at an assisted living facility. After Ted's death, Doris returned to her condo in Stettler, and was able to continue to enjoy being a part of her growing families' lives. Before Ted's failing health, they had enjoyed winter snow birding trips to Arizona and Sidney BC.
Predeceased by her brothers Earl and Edward; sister Faye and granddaughter Dana; Doris is survived and will be deeply missed by her sons Doug (Lori) Roberts of Stettler, Don (Marlene) Roberts of Olds and daughter Vicki Roberts of Golden; grandchildren: Brian (Stacey) Roberts of Blackfalds, Scott (Chelsea) Roberts of Stettler, Mike (Amy) Roberts of Stettler; Kris Roberts (Jolene Santee) of Blackfalds, Curtis (Corrin) Roberts of Edmonton; great grandchildren Hailee, Austin, Lola, Declan, Fred, Bella, Cody, Tyler, Kyle, Shaelee, Shelby; brother Joe Harwood of Strathmore; sister Myrtle Lecky of Jasper; sister in law Shirley (Hugh) Van Bavel of Calgary, and numerous other family and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, November 30, 2015 at 2:00 PM in the Heartland Chapel of the Stettler Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Langford, incumbent officiating. Evelyn Strandquist played the organ for the congregational hymn "How Great Thou Art" as well as the solo "Stay With Us", by granddaughter, Amy Roberts. Cheryl Taylor delivered the eulogy, followed by a pictorial tribute, by Lori Roberts and Erin LaPlace. Honorary Pallbearers were "All Those Who Touched Doris' Life". Following the funeral service family and friends gathered together in the Heartland Reception Centre of the Stettler Funeral Home for a time of sharing and luncheon by Brenda's Catering. The interment will take place in the future at Byemoor Cemetery.
Should friends' desire, memorial contributions may be made in Doris' memory to the Red Deer Hospice, the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Alberta Cancer Centre c/o the Stettler Funeral Home Box 1780 Stettler, AB T0C2L0. Sympathies may be forwarded to the family by signing the guestbook at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com.
A very special thanks to all of the angels involved throughout Doris's cancer journey: including the Roberts families, Erin LaPlace, the Stettler Palliative Home Care Team, "Helping Hands" of Delia, and the Red Deer Hospice staff.
STETTLER FUNERAL HOME
were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.
For further information please call 403-742-3422.