Bernice Roberts Obituary

ROBERTS Bernice Margaret Gresham Roberts Dec. 20, 1905 - Aug. 19, 2008 Bernice Margaret Gresham Roberts was born December 20, 1905, in Elbert, Colorado, to George and Mary Gresham. She died Tuesday August 19, 2008 at Life Care of Colorado Springs. After graduating from CSCE in Greeley (now University of Northern Colorado) with a two-year teaching degree, which was all that was required at that time to teach grades 1-8, Bernice taught all 8 grades in several one-room schoolhouses in Colorado. Bernice married Howard Roberts in 1931 and they were married for 68 years. He preceded her in death in 1999. Once their family was raised, she accepted an offer from District 20 to teach at what was then Woodmen Valley School. During the 18 years she taught there she spent several summers earning her BA degree from CSCE and her ME degree from Colorado College, pursuing two of her lifelong passions: her love of learning and her love of teaching children to be the best they can be. When Bernice retired from teaching in 1973, Woodmen Valley School was renamed Woodmen-Roberts Elementary in her honor. In her active years, Bernice was a member of AAUW, Alpha Delta Kappa, a professional sorority for educators, and has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years. In the early 1990's, she was named one of the 100 Outstanding Women of the Pikes Peak Region by the Pioneer Museum. Surviving family members are two daughters, Mary Roberts of Yuba City, CA, Virginia Seely (Jim), of Fox Island, WA, two grandchildren, Tiff Seely(Kim), Tacoma, WA, and Kristen (Marc) Hartman, Gig Harbor, WA, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Monday, August 25th at 2:00PM. Interment at Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Bernice to the Deacon's Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou.