Roberta Smillie Stafford

Roberta Smillie Stafford

Roberta Smillie Stafford passed away peacefully in the early evening at the Heartland Hospice House in Milltown, January 5, 2012.

Roberta’s family had emigrated from the United States to Canada and back to the United States before finally settling in Hamilton, North Dakota, where Roberta was born on January 14, 1917. Roberta was born into a farming family and grew up during the Great Depression, which laid the foundation for her well-known conservative nature and robust work ethic. During many winter nights, which at times reached -40 degrees, Roberta enjoyed playing Scrabble, cribbage or dominos with her younger sisters, Ruby, Isabel, and Wilma, and her older brother Ralph. She loved her siblings dearly and missed them all tremendously after they passed away.

After graduating from high school, Roberta passed the Civil Service examination and secured a position with the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. Roberta lived in Washington for several years and became active in the community and the Foundry United Methodist Church.

Following World War II, during the U.S. occupation of Japan, the Department of Agriculture transferred Roberta to Tokyo as part of the rebuilding and reconstruction effort. During her time in Tokyo, Roberta travelled extensively in Asia, collecting many souvenirs that she used as a theme for decorating her home in later years. Roberta was particularly proud of climbing Mount Fuji while stationed in Japan.

After returning from Tokyo and while still in Washington, Roberta reestablished her relationship with Racine Stafford, who was a relative of a church friend. Roberta and Racine were married in 1948 and shared 53 years of marriage until he passed away in 2002. They lived in various places in New Castle County before purchasing a home in Newark in 1952, where she lived until very recently. Roberta and Racine had one son, Wesley, who also lives and works in Newark.

A long-standing member of Newark United Methodist Church, Roberta’s faith and church were central to her life. She was involved in many church committees and activities, including the Finance Committee, United Methodist Women and Mrs. Wilson’s Bible Class. In addition to church activities, Roberta was also active in the Business and Professional Women’s Association, Boy Scouts of America, the YWCA and the PTA.

In addition to her son, Wesley, Roberta is survived by nieces Terri Case of Dallas, TX, Sandy Hays of Albuquerque, NM, and Diane Dimond of Grandview-on-Hudson, NY and their families; nephews Richard, William and Donald Smillie and their families, all of Springfield, MO, and William Stafford and family of Bear, DE, and Thomas Stafford and family of Tucson, AZ.

A visitation is planned for Tuesday, January 10, from 6 – 8 pm at R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 West Main St., Newark, DE 19711. A private graveside service for the family will be held at Christiana Presbyterian Cemetery on Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at Newark United Methodist Church, 69 East Main St., Newark, DE 19711 at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday.