Memorial contributions in Mary Ruth’s name will be placed in the Gary A. & Mary Ruth Roberts Endowment Fund
Friend of the Foundation and former board member Mary Ruth Roberts passed away on December 26, 2022.
From the obituary:
Mary Ruth Roberts, age 94, of Sugar Grove, Illinois passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, at her home. She was born December 19, 1928, in Aurora, Illinois. Mary Ruth graduated from West Aurora High school, then earned her nursing degree from St. Francis in Evanston and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Loyola in 1951. Gary and Mary Ruth Roberts were the first couple wed at the current Holy Angels Church on February 9, 1952.
She was employed as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital and later as Administrator at Elmwood Terrace Nursing Home, a skilled nursing home facility. Mary Ruth was a board member of The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley from 1986-1998. While at Holy Angels Church, she was a member of the Outreach Commission, a Minister of Care to the Homebound and a member of the Resurrection Funeral Choir. She was a breast cancer survivor, volunteered for 30 years with the American Cancer Society and was a coordinator of the ACS Reach to Recovery Program which educates and provides support to breast cancer patients. She was past director of the Aurora Catholic Services. Mary Ruth also served with the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. Together with her husband, Gary, Mary Ruth volunteered as tutors with the Adult Literacy Project at Waubonsee Community College, Pads Living Center, and Meals on Wheels.
Mary Ruth valued her faith and family above all things. She often referred to Gary as “Our Leader” but we know who the leader truly was. She, along with Gary, raised their five children stressing the importance of God, kindness, building relationships, higher education, a strong work ethic and helping others. She balanced her family obligations and community involvement beautifully and with great humor. She was a true role model to all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband of almost seventy-one years, Gary, three sons and two daughters. Jeffrey (Molly) Roberts of Aurora, their three children Bridget (Andrew) Stanislo of Aurora, Timothy (Julie) Roberts of Upper Arlington, OH and Erin (Gary) Eimerman of Palatine. Also, John (Carol) Roberts of North Aurora and his two children Katelyn (Mikal) Stoltenberg of St. Francis, WI, and Jack Roberts of Aurora. Also, Patrick (Patricia) Roberts of Galena, and their son Brady (Rebekah) Roberts of Yorkville. Daughters Beth (Jeffrey) Lang of Campton Hills and their daughters Sarah (Peter) Baumann of Elburn and Katherine (Matthew) Morin of Lisle. Also, Ellen (Terry) Bolton of Chandler, AZ and their three sons, Alex (Lauren) Bolton of Gilbert, AZ, Ryan Bolton of Chandler, AZ, and Tyler Bolton of San Francisco, CA. Twelve great grandchildren, Kevin and Kyle Stanislo, Quinnlyn and Mackenna Roberts, Bethany, Lindsey and Connor Eimerman, Maeve Baumann, Charles Morin, Felix and Toby Stoltenberg and Blair Bolton. Also, a cousin, Christine Riley Hubbard of New Caney, TX.
Mary Ruth was preceded in death by her father Edward J. Farrell in 1961 and Ruthanne Burnett Farrell in 1986.
We are so thankful for the loving and dedicated care Mary received for nearly two years from her care giver Bozena Balazova.
Family will be receiving guests on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. at The Healy Chapel, 370 Division Drive in Sugar Grove. A funeral Mass to celebrate Mary Ruth’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022, at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 8S055 Dugan Road, Sugar Grove. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Gary A. and Mary Ruth Roberts Endowment Fund at The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, 111 West Downer Place, Aurora, Illinois 60506 or the charity of the donor’s choice.
For further information, please call 630-466-1330 or visit our website at www.healychapel.com to leave an online condolence.
