Ruth Roberts
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Memorial Services for Ruth “Jeanette” Roberts will be held 2-4 p.m., Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the Central Junior High Auditorium. She died March 4, 2011, at Pioneer Ridge. Inurnment took place in the Floral Hills Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. She was born on May 12, 1935, in Moberly, MO the daughter of G. Harold and Ruth (Breckenridge) Roberts.
Jeanette received her B.S. in 1957 from Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, MO, where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma social sorority. She then received her M.S. in Education from the University of Kansas in 1968 and did additional postgraduate work there. Jeanette taught English and social studies at Central Junior High where she coached basketball and track among her many interactions with her beloved students. She was an active member of the National Education Association (NEA), the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA), and the local affiliate the Lawrence Education Association (LEA), for which she served several years as a building representative and negotiations team member. Jeanette also loved animals and served as a board member for the Lawrence Humane Society.
Survivors include two brothers, David E. Roberts and wife Nancy, Lawrence; Dean B. Roberts and wife Mary Lou Nashville, TN; two nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, George L. Roberts, Jr. and nephew, Brian Roberts.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
i am so sorry to hear the news. She was a dear friend and a soulful woman. My thoughts are with her and with those she loved. ken, a former college friend from sbc.
Oh how fortunate I was to know Jeanette, such a good friend. Will miss you
Love Fran
I’ve known her ever since she first moved to Atchison (not sure when that was). She ever since those days remained the among Top 10 all-time friends. The gods smiled on me:I saw Jeanette twice last week, and I spoke with her on the phone on Tuesday,before returning home. She was still a treasure just three days before she died.
Jeanette was a true friend and dear to me since 7th grade. Jeanette cared so much for her family, friends and students, the world won’t be the same with her not here. My deepest sympathy to Dean and Mary Lou, David and Nancy and their children.
With love, Marj
Jeanette was a dear friend and will be missed by us all. I send my sympathy to her brothers and family,
Love, Shirley
I was a student of Ms. Roberts [as we used to call her, back when Ms. was a new thing] at CJHS in 73 – 74. She was a great teacher and caring person — I have many fond memories of that class and of her work. I’m very sorry to learn of her passing.
I was a student of Ms. Roberts [as we used to call her, back when Ms. was a new thing] at CJHS in 73 – 74. She was a great teacher and caring person — I have many fond memories of that class and of her work. I’m very sorry to learn of her passing.
Miss Roberts (after all, it was the mid-60s) was one of my favorite teachers at CJHS. I loved her class and can still remember events from it after all these years. Anyone who had her as a teacher was very lucky.
I am so sorry for your loss. Ms. Roberts was a wonderful teacher, and she cared so much about the students she had. She had a big impact on my life, and I feel fortunate to have known her as a teacher, and later, as a friend.
Something prompted me to read the obituaries today, and now, I know why. I was a student of this amazing, talented, compassionate, passionate, wonderful woman at Central Junior High. She is one of those people in my life that I will never, ever forget because she inspired us all. She KNEW us, each of us, she encouraged our potential, laughed at our jokes, and cared so much about how each of us was faring. I wish I could have seen her, one more time, to tell her myself, that she made a difference in my life, and that her memory lives in my heart. She was the truest form of teacher, mentor, example for me, for all young women, for all people. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to learn from her–and at 52 years old, the memory of my 9th grade Social Studies class is as vivid now, as it was 40 years ago. I see her, just as she is in this photo. If the measure of a life, of a teacher’s life, is the measure of the impact on the lives of students, then Jeanette Roberts stands at the top of the mountain– right there, underneath the Socratic tree. Thank you, Ms. Roberts, you will be missed, but always loved.
I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Miss Roberts, my favorite teacher at Central Junior High School. Having come from Saint John Grade School for my final year of junior high, Jeanette made me feel welcomed and appreciated. We kept in touch for some years–she even attended my First Mass in Lawrence–and I still have and use the address/telepone book she gave me for my ordination 38 years ago. Unfortunately, we lost contact some years back, due to her health concerns. I will always appreciate her teaching ability and thoughtfulness. She was a wonderful person. I’ll be offering a Mass for her eternal peace. Fr. Bob Flannery, Pastor, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Carbondale, Illinois.
We have wonderful memories of Jeanette and your family growing up in Atchison. We are sending our prayers as you celebrate your sister’s life. “Chickie” Cochran (as Rev. Roberts called me.)
Where do I start? Miss Roberts was my 8th grade Common Learnings teacher at Central, 1962-63.
My story is this: We had an assignment to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution and to recite it to the class. I hated getting up in front of the class to speak. I should say, “try to speak”. I stuttered. It was much worse in pressure situations. I’m sure I tried a couple of times, but just couldn’t get through it.
After the last time, Miss Roberts told me to practice at home some more, then come in after school and recited the Preamble to her alone. I had it down cold. There we were, just the two of us. I tried 2 or 3 times, but simply couldn’t get it out. She smiled (as always) and asked, “Vincent, do you really know the Preamble?” I’m sure I sounded like the Cowardly Lion, “I do, I do…”. As far as I know, she gave me credit for the assignment.
Jeanette Roberts was the first teacher of mine who understood my challenge and showed it compassion in dealing with it. My struggles continued for many years after that episode, but I’ve thought about her often and wondered how different my life might have been if I could have continued with her as my teacher.
I turned 60 years of age last December. Over the years I’ve done TV commercials, modelling, voice overs, print ads, spoken to groups of as many as 150 people and am now working as a Personal Fitness Trainer in Overland Park, KS. Some of my clients need me to exhibit the kind of patience and compassion that Miss Roberts showed me almost 50 years ago. I enjoy the teaching aspect of what I do and I can’t help but think that the seeds for the patience I have now were planted in the second floor classroom at Central Junior High School.
As I’ve been writing this, I’ve had to stop three times to wipe the tears. All those years ago and it still gets to me. Another thing I’ve taken from that experience, and others, is that you never know how or for how long what you say or do with a child will affect him or her. I’ve always tried to be careful in my dealing with kids.
This turned into more than I had anticipated, but I want Miss Roberts’ family to know how important she is (is!) to me. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Vince Brown
CJHS 1964
Dear Roberts Family,
I can not tell you how sad I am to hear this news. My heart is full of saddness for Ms. Roberts was so wonderful to me form 8th grade through my adult life. We shared a very special friendship as I know many others have as well.
I will never forget her and my sympathy is with you all today.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kim R.Wrench
Dear David, Dean and Family…you had a wonderful sister and I had a wonderful teacher…She taught me well,laughed when needed and strict when needed…It`s so sad that of all of my teachers that I had in twelve years of schooling you hardly ever saw them again… For nine short months they were such a BIG part of your life…May God rest her soul…Mike Hadl…CJH student 1969-1972
Quite a wonder teacher and person.
Alan Cobb,9th grade,CJHS 1965-66
I want to express my condolences to her friends and family. I remember Ms. Roberts from 7th and 8th grade (1978-79) at Central. She was an awesome teacher. I will never forget her moaning about how “squirly” 7th graders were! (maybe even with an eyeroll if she was feeling particularly cheerful). She was an avid reader and introduced me to so many books. But it was her lovely, dry sense of humor which I loved the most and will miss. She was a gem.
The gift of yourself to your students and fellow educators will not be forgotten.
Dear David,Nancy,Mary Lou and to Ms.Robert’s nieces and nephews,
I am so very sorry for your loss of your sister,sister-in-law and aunt.Ms. Roberts was my favorite English teacher
at Central Junior High.She was a very sweet,loving and funny teacher!I know she loved her dogs and cats and talked about them often.She was very sweet to me and helped me when I didn’t understand,she made learning fun!She will be dearly missed!
I live in California now but my parents
still live in Lawrence,Kansas and called me and told me of her passing.I cried and remembered her smile and her laugh.She will not be forgotten for all the work she did for the Lawrence Humane Society and her ability to make learning fun!
May the Lord bless you all and surround you with His love and comfort.You are all in my prayers.Ms.Roberts will
always hold a very special place in my heart.
Blessings,
Susan Denton-Agosto
Central Junior High
{1980-1982}
Dear David,Nancy,Mary Lou and to Ms.Robert’s nieces and nephews,
I am so very sorry for your loss of your sister,sister-in-law and aunt.Ms. Roberts was my favorite English teacher
at Central Junior High.She was a very sweet,loving and funny teacher!I know she loved her dogs and cats and talked about them often.She was very sweet to me and helped me when I didn’t understand,she made learning fun!She will be dearly missed!
I live in California now but my parents
still live in Lawrence,Kansas and called me and told me of her passing.I cried and remembered her smile and her laugh.She will not be forgotten for all the work she did for the Lawrence Humane Society and her ability to make learning fun!
May the Lord bless you all and surround you with His love and comfort.You are all in my prayers.Ms.Roberts will
always hold a very special place in my heart.
Blessings,
Susan Denton-Agosto
Central Junior High
{1980-1982}