Helen S. Roberts

Helen M. Saulsbury Roberts of Arlington VA, died peacefully on Sunday, June 5, 2005 at her home at The Potomac, Sunrise at Bluemont Park, Arlington. She was 93. Born on a family farm near Queen Anne, MD, May 1, 1912, she was the first of five daughters of the late Norman B. and Lelia R. Hopkins Saulsbury. Her family moved to a farm on the Corscia River near Centreville, MD and she graduated from Centreville High School, Class of 1929. She was the last surviving female member of that class. She graduated from Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD in 1932 with special post-graduate training at Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital in 1933. On October 15, 1935 she was appointed to the U.S. Army Nurse Corps where she served at Walter Reed Army Hospital until she was honorably discharged on November 22, 1939 in preparation for her marriage. She married Richard Hale Roberts from Iowa Falls, Iowa on December 16, 1939 at the Walter Reed Chapel in Washington, DC. He predeceased her on October 2, 1968 while they were on assignment at the United States Embassy in Canada. Mr. Roberts was the Agricultural Attaché. Mrs. Roberts has lived most of her life in Arlington, VA in the Upshur neighborhood until she moved to Sunrise at Bluemont becoming a Charter member there in September, 1990 Through her life she was an avid gardener, a conservationist, a humanitarian, gourmet cook, home decorator, and advocate. She had the distinction in March, 1942 of being featured in the “Times Herald” for her interior decorating creativity and in later life she was featured in “Consumer Reports”, January 2001 on Assisted Living quality of life issues . She was active in Welcome to Washington, Foreign Service matters connected with Department of Agriculture, Arlington County Democratic organizations, Volunteer at the White House, A Gourmet Cooking Group, Sunrise at Bluemont leadership and various other groups and organizations through her long life. She was an avid supporter of many organizations concerned with Conservation, Wildlife, Animal Welfare, Children and particularly Native American Children. As part of her support for young people and their education she established a Scholarship fund at Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls, IA. See details for Memorial Contributions to this Fund at the end. She was a lifetime member of the Christian Church through the Episcopal denomination. She and her husband were founding members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. While in Canada they worshipped and served at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. She supported the ordination of women in the Christian Church in particular her niece, the Rev. White-Bishton who was ordained into the Christian Ministry on June, 20, 2004. She traveled extensively throughout most of her life and lived for a short time with her husband in England. She leaves behind many special friends worldwide. Close family members who survive her are: Sallie R. White-Bishton, niece, Centreville, MD; Wanda R. Williams, niece and Godchild, Annapolis, MD; James B. White, Jr., nephew and Godchild, Gibson Island, MD; Jean S. Williams, youngest and sole survivor of five sisters, Cordova, MD; Patricia Hammick, a Saulsbury cousin, Kilmarneck, VA.; 8 other nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews scattered throughout this country. Memorial Contributions can be made to: The Richard and Helen Roberts Scholarship Fund, Ellsworth College Foundation, c/o Kaitlyn Bartling, Director, 1100 College Avenue, Iowa Falls, IA. A special family service will be held on Friday, June 10 in Easton, MD with interment at Woodlawn Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will be held at Sunrise at Bluemont on Friday, June 17 in Arlington, VA. Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Easton, MD.