Lola Fern Roberts passed away peacefully at the Vulcan General Hospital on Monday, March 5, 1990, at the age of 77 years.
Lola was born June 24, 1912 at Nanton, Alberta, the daughter of Frank and Nellie Armey. In 1917 the family moved to the Armey homestead five miles east of Arrowwood. She received all her early schooling at the Arrowwood Consolidated School and continued on to obtain her teacher’s training at Calgary Normal School. She taught for two years, first at Giffin then at Antrim country schools. In 1937 she put her excellent cooking skills to use as a substitute cook at the Buffalo Hills Ranch where she became engaged to the foreman there, George Roberts. George taught her to golf and they enjoyed many matches together over the years.
On November l, 1937, Lola and George were married at the Armey home. They continued to live at the Ranch until 1945. Their son Gordon and daughter Arlene were born during this time. They continued to live in the Arrowwood area until 1950 when they moved to the Frank Armey farm. Later that year their twin daughters Barbara and Brenda were born.
Lola loved her family and friends. She was a very energetic homemaker and cook. She also enjoyed participating in the many activities of the Arrowwood Friendship Club, including a good game of snooker. She had made countless quilts for family, friends and charity and was very creative at sewing. Gardening and her flowers gave her great pleasure as did travel. Lola was a life member of the Arrowwood United Church Women and a member of the Arrowwood Friendship Club. In the early 1980’s she was co-editor for the Arrowwood history book “Furrows of Time” and she was the editor of George’s book “Looking Back” published in 1984.
Beloved wife of Mr. George Roberts of Arrowwood, Alberta and loving mother of a son Gordon Roberts of Arrowwood, three daughters Arlene (Chuck) Stokes of Lomond, twin daughters Barbara (Larry) Farrell of Carstairs, Brenda (Mike) Mackin of Calgary; seven grandchildren Tracy (Mark) Doram of Lomond, Darren and Reagan Stokes, Lisa and Rebecca Farrell, and Tara and Jonathan Mackin; three great—grandchildren Devin, Brianna and Nicholas Doram of Lomond; a brother Chester (Thurza) Armey of Arrowwood, a sister Pearl (Archie) Harrison of Calgary. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Norah House of Penticton, Kathleen (Claude) Smeeton of Victoria, and Berta Roberts of Calgary, brother-in-law Bob (Hazel) Seeley of Hussar and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Frank and Nellie Armey, two sisters Irma Norton in 1944 and Theta Simmie in 1955 and a grandson Ryan Stokes in 1974.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 8th at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Calgary with Reverend Ernie Roberts of Arrowwood United Church officiating.
Active pallbearers were Victor Earl, Hurley Williams Hubert Bexte, Gerald Armey, Ralph Seeley and Alvin Roberts. Honorary pallbearers were Don Beagle, Harold Williams, Ernie Norton, Bob Seeley, Albert Maynard and Sandy McDermid.
If friends so desire, donations would be appreciated to the Canadian Cancer Society, #408, 1305-11 Ave. S.W., Calgary, T3C 3P6.
Funeral Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home, Directors.