ROBERTA MARIE CONNAUTON – It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dearest Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother Roberta Marie Connauton. Beloved wife of the late Dennis Leroy Connauton on May 18th in Rosemary, Alberta at the age of 81. Roberta was born in Penticton, BC August 17, 1940 to parents Robert and Ellen Stewart. She was the oldest of three children with two younger brothers Walter and Kim. Roberta spent her younger years attending school in Oliver, BC, enjoying time in the family orchard, taking trips up the valley for special family visits and where she met the love of her life Dennis. They were married March 5, 1960 in Winfield, BC and were soon blessed with four children Robin, Bradley, David and Lorelei. If life was not busy enough raising a young family Roberta opened up her home in ‘71 and welcomed in foster children. She was dedicated to the promotion of the Oliver Youth Bowling Association and was instrumental in hosting LDS Children’s Primary in her own home. In the fall of ’74 Roberta attended Okanagan College in Kelowna and completed the Bookkeeper Certification program thereafter she worked for Trevor Sutton the local accountant. Our family resided in Oliver until Sept ’77 when Dennis gained employment in the oilfield; her family packed up their belongings and relocated to Brooks that has been Roberta’s home for the last 44 years. Roberta worked for Lakeside Packers and Hat Electric as a bookkeeper before returning to her passion of fostering children in need. With an empty nest, Roberta once again opened up the door and filled her home by welcoming well over 200+ foster children over the years and into our family. A very special foster child was placed in Roberta’s care in 1989, young Stevie who came with many life altering disabilities. Doctors predicted a short life for him and wanted Stevie to be institutionalized but Roberta & Dennis had other plans. They adopted Stevie as their son and gave him the best life possible for the next 26 years. Roberta volunteered and dedicated many hours to the Brooks Foster Parent Association and its members and later was President of the Alberta Foster Parent Association. In 2007, Roberta and Dennis were greatly honoured with the ”Alberta Foster Parents of the Year Award”. Roberta welcomed everyone & anyone into her home, her doors were always open. She touched many lives, always with words of encouragement and sound advice. She went above and beyond for so many children, friends, strangers and family. A strong supporter of all. One of Roberta’s paramount achievements was returning to post-secondary and graduating from the Medicine Hat College Social Work Diploma program in the spring 2006. Showing us all, you are never too old to achieve your goals. Roberta spent many years of her life volunteering and helping others such as the Brooks YBCA, Brooks Royal Canadian Legion, holding many callings within LDS church and the Seniors Outreach Board which she joined in March 2012 and was an active Board member to date. As the matriarch of our family, she was a role model like no other and loved by all. We will all miss her beautiful smile and she will be best remembered for the love of her family. She leaves an incredible legacy. Roberta is predeceased by her loving husband Dennis Connauton, son Stevie Connauton, parents Robert and Ellen Stewart, brothers Walter and Kim Stewart, In-laws Robert Connauton; John (Ruth) Connauton and Noreen Moberg. She leaves behind to mourn, her children, sons Robin (Joan); Bradley; David (Dorothy) and daughter Lorelei (Grant) Neal. Grandchildren Davey (Laura); Mike (Staci); Megan (Daniel); Daniel (Rhea) Connauton; Courtney (Luke) Dovichak; Zack (Brittany); Casey (Cassandra); Riley and Shay Neal, Shane (Sarah) Brown, Chassidy (Chris) Tremblay; Amy-Jo (Asher) Myton, 29 beautiful Great Grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom were very important to Roberta.
Funeral Services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Brooks, AB on Saturday May 28 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Operation Smile Canada 1-844-376-4530 or ca-supporters@operationsmile.org in Roberta’s name.
