Tribute

Roberta (also called Bobbie) was the eldest of 5 children born to Robert and Phylis Read. She grew up in Regina with her beloved siblings Gail, Robert, Shirley,  and Joan. She often expressed gratitude for being born to good and loving parents.

She had a wonderful childhood including music and singing at home, Saturday afternoons at the movie theatre, as well as tap and highland dancing. Her repertoire of songs was extensive. Often a word or phrase would prompt her to break into cheerful song.

Mom was smart; she loved to read and excelled academically. She had a sense of fun and adventure, like when she led her sister Gail and cousin Walter to see the Regina Transit street car on busy Albert Street – how best to get a good look except by playing and sitting on the tracks directly? This lead to a “fake” spanking from her dad, but that’s another story.

Mom met the love of her life and future husband Arnold at the Trianon Ballroom in Regina. They married in 1960 and moved to Dawson Creek. Their family soon grew to include 4 children. With a husband in the RCMP, they moved every few years: to Kamloops, then Mica Creek and finally to Duncan, where Mom put her foot down and said no more moving the kids.

Roberta was a fast learner and excelled in many positions – as a phone operator for BC Tel in Kamloops, an office worker at the Mica Dam, and a clerk for the BC Government in Duncan. She owned and skillfully operated FunTan Hair Salon and International Waterbeds. In retirement, she volunteered as a driver for the BC Cancer Agency for more than 20 years, and at Alexander school, helping children learn to read. She also pursued her love of singing in the Concenti Singers Choir. She was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church. One of her favourite verses was: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and sound judgement” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Mom was a highly refined person. She was able to find contentment in any circumstance. She had no need to be the centre of attention or to take credit for achievements. She was humble, graceful and genuine. She never made critical comments about others. Her spirit revealed itself through her gentle and purposeful acts of kindness. Despite health challenges, she consistently showed up for her family, joyfully doing whatever was needed in that moment.

Thank you, Mom, for being a living example of all the best qualities of humanity: kindness, optimism, strength, wisdom, and bravery. You showed us how to live and love well.

Roberta, pre-deceased by her husband Arnold and her beloved son Mark, is survived by daughters Kathie & Janet, son Michael, grandchildren Victoria, Lauren, Lexi, Ky & Reid, and great grandchildren Kenzie, Huxley, Aubrey & Adele.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Cowichan District Hospital Foundation are warmly appreciated.

A service and tea will be held on Friday Dec. 12^th at 2pm, at St Peter’s Church in Duncan. All are welcome – come ready to sing!