Davis, Roberta Mae passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Vulcan Extendicare April 19,2003 at the age of 86 years.
Roberta was born June 1, 1916 at Carmangay, Alberta to Robert and Maryanne Todd. At first, she was schooled at home, then the whole family moved to Vulcan where she attended school. She furthered her education at the University of Calgary and then Edmonton, becoming one of the first eight students to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation in the west. She also had a Bachelor of Education degree.
Roberta taught figure skating and power skating for eighteen years, at places including the Glencoe Club in Calgary, Vulcan, Lomond and in Champion. She brought the skating carnival idea from Calgary to Vulcan and Lomond. Roberta organized the Recreation centre for children in Vulcan in the bowling alley. At that time only adults could bowl but after Sturges and Roberta purchased the Bowling alley, everyone could bowl, which was in the building where Stedman’s is now.
She was also an accomplished swimming instructor and taught at Champion, Vulcan, and Lake McGregor. She also taught school for twenty years in Champion, Barons and Carmangay, teaching junior high in Carmangay before the school burnt down, grade 4 in Barons and all grades of physical education, drama and music in Champion ending her career at the Hutterite School.
While she lived in Calgary she was the first women to work as a payroll clerk at Riverside Iron Works. She then worked for the Alberta Wheat Pool for six years. From there she worked at the Banff Springs Hotel where she met Sturges Davis. They were married October 1943 in Vulcan a marriage that blessed them with six children. While Sturges was in the armed forces, they lived in Iberville, Quebec then returned to the Thigh hill area until the marriage ended in 1961. Roberta continued to live with her parents in the Champion area.
Beloved mother of five sons; Michael of Grand Prairie, Brock of Vancouver, Andy of Powell River, Sean of Champion and Kent (Patty) of Ensign; a daughter Leah Davis of Chemainus, B.C., , ten grandchildren Anthony, Corrine, Tanya, Andrea, Kendra, Reid, Kristin, Jenna, Olivia and Angela, two brothers Ivan Todd of Surrey and Brian (Peggy) Todd of Vulcan, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Roberta was predeceased by her parents, an infant daughter Barbara and her father Sturges, two brothers Greg and Allan, three sisters-in-law Hazel, Isabel and Kay and a good friend Ken Esler.
A memorial service was held Thursday April 24, 2003 at St. Aldhelm’s Anglican Church, Vulcan with Father Bob Greene officiating.
Roberta’s family will hold an inurnment service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers tributes in Roberta’s memory could be made to the Foothills Hospital, Head Trauma Unit, 1403 – 29 Street. N.W. Calgary T2N 2T9.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.