Roberta (Bobbie) Stephens

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Roberta Ruth "Bobbie" Stephens of Idaho Falls died August 8, 2008, in Prineville, Oregon. Bobbie was born February 4, 1940, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to Robert Irvin and Anna Grace Singer Cribbs. She attended schools there, graduating from Latrobe High School in 1957. As a young girl, she sang in several clubs, including the Elks and was named Miss Civil Defense in a beauty pageant. In junior and senior high schools, she played in the band and orchestra and was a member of the school and church choir. In those years her singing voice was memorable; in later life, that same voice would become well known at a radio station. Her early working years found her at Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania, where she did auditing work and wrote for the company newspaper. She attended Seton Hill University at night. Over a lifetime, she also attended Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, and Idaho State University. Before moving to Idaho Falls in 1975, she was employed by a publishing company as well as the Greensburg Tribune Review as a reporter. She was later employed by the Post Register, Harris Publishing Company, and finally at KUPI Radio, where she became a well-known personality. At KUPI, Bobbie was also program director and a media consultant before her retirement. Her writing skills and quick wit gave her a lifetime career in the media. Her hobbies included reading, knitting, sewing, quilting, listening to classical music, eating out with friends, and shoe shopping. While Bobbie always had the ability to make people laugh, her sense of humor was never quite the same after the death of her husband, Al, in 2004. A volunteer at the Idaho Falls Public Library for many years, Bobbie's was the voice you heard when you had overdue books. Somehow she found a way to encourage folks to return those books. Sometimes she even went to pick them up. Bobbie and Al were long-time supporters of Skyline High School athletics and served as officers of the booster club. She was a member of Trinity Methodist Church, serving as youth officer and later as United Methodist Women's Treasurer and President. She was also a choir member. She made a decision to join the Catholic Church in 2003 and immediately became involved in writing and editing the monthly church news. During her working years, Bobbie was honored by the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce with its Service to Chamber Award, the Red Cross, Rotary Club, and Girl Scouts of America. She is survived by her children: David Scott Stephens of Whitefish, Montana; Andrea Stephens (David) McEvoy of Missoula, Montana; Holly Stephens (Coby) Hanes of Prineville, Oregon, and Christian Scott (Lisa) Stephens of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and eight grandchildren: Drew Stephens of Marina, Calif; Anna and Maria McEvoy of Missoula, Montana; Garrison, Isabella, Abigail, and Trieste Stephens of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and Cole Hanes of Prineville, Oregon. Also surviving is a sister, Janice (Clinton) Ferguson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a niece and nephew; as well as extended family in the Latrobe, Pennsylvania, region. Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband, Alan Gardiner Stephens, and her parents. Rosary Services will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, August 17, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends following the Vigil Services until 9 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home. A funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 9th & Lee, at 10 a.m., Monday August 18th. Interment will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery, where Bobbie will return to eternal rest with her husband. --------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Catherine Majumdar mmajumda@yahoo.com Dear Bobbie's Children, We so miss your mother. She was so full of life, so much fun, so audacious, so fully here. And now she is not here. It is hard to comprehend. Your mom, who was a member of the knitting group that got thrown out of Barnes and Nobel for having too much fun – for laughing too loud – for being happy and for enjoying life so much – will be sorely missed by all who knew her (except, perhaps, that manager of B&N). Our deepest sympathy to you all, Catherine and Debu Majumdar Swanson family of Shelley, Idaho missrusset_2006@yahoo.com We are so sorry to hear of Bobbie's death. We have been neighbors of hers in Shelley. I (Storee Swanson Powell) really enjoyed getting to know Bobbie as a child, and thought she and her husband were very neat people. Bobbie was a talented lady, and it is a loss to this community. I will never forget how she continually told me that education is very important,and was always such a positve support for me. I wish she was here so I could tell her of my recent successes. My mom remembers her laughing at my little brother trying to ride a bike that was too little. My family and I miss them as neighbors, and wish you all the best. Sincerely, Storee Swanson, Gordon Swanson, Alaina Swanson, Tommy Swanson Rob Mullin rob@robertmullin.com I had met Al at work and then Bobbie at the Methodist Church. I attended RCIA to renew my Catholic faith and lo, there was Bobbie. After Al passed away we had breakfast after church a couple of times. We were never close but always very comfortable with each other. I asked her out to a movie, "a date she said", but it was too soon and she turned me down. I subsequently met and married my wife and Bobbie wished us well. I'm glad I met her as we passed through this life. She was a friend I'll miss. We prayed for her and you, her family. My deepest sympathy for all who knew and loved her. God bless you all, Rob & Susan Mullin Cindy Sperry (Burrell) cjsperry64@aol.com Dear Andrea and Family, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I always remember how fun she was at all the old high school sleep-overs. I wish I was in Idaho Falls to see you and attend her services. Please know I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. With my deepest sympathies, love Cindy Betsy Sherman mesherman@cableone.net Dear David, Andrea, Holly, and Christian, I knew your mom because of two hobbies we both loved -- quilting and knitting. I enjoyed every moment I spent with Bobbie; she was so much fun to be around! She would even speak "Pittsburgh-ian" to me when I was feeling nostalgic about the place where I grew up. Thank goodness she never totally lost or forgot that accent! She talked about her family often; she loved you so very much. I know you all have many, many happy memories and certainly many, many funny stories of your mom. I hope they sustain you and give you strength in the coming months. With deepest sympathy, Betsy A Faithful Listener I grew up listening to Bobbie on KUPI when I was growing up, her voice became part of our morning routine. She was always so enjoyable and I am so glad that she shared herself with her faithful listeners . . . To her family . . . I grieve with you . . . Bobbie was one of a kind . . . Take care and God bless you all . . . . Jay and Kristine Kunze kj-kunze@cableone.net August 17, 2008 TO the Family of Bobbie Stephens: Those of us in Idaho have all lost, from this earth, a wonderful friend, Bobbie Stephens. To you, her family, our deepest condolences, for she must have brought to you very great joy and happiness, just as she did for us in the occasional times that we were in her presence. - - - - - - - I (Jay) knew Al very well. He was not only a very valued colleague, but wonderful friend. It became obvious to me that he was such a wonderful person in part because of an outstanding wife, who loved him dearly. Bobbie made Al a very happy person, and they both were a joy to be around. So you will appreciate how important both Al and Bobbie were to us - I was one of the outside reviewers when the PhD Program at the INEL, to be run jointly by ISU and University of Idaho, was being reviewed in 1990. I was so pleased that after the program was approved, Al had been selected to lead the program, in behalf of both universities. It is because of Al that I was asked to apply for the position of the Dean of Engineering at ISU. From the time I arrived back in Idaho, Al was a confidant, a friend, and a very valuable faculty member. Of all the colleagues with whom I have been associated at ISU, Al was my closest friend. - - - - - - - Bobbie was beside Al in all of the special events we had for faculty and/or students. Bobbie was so generous of her time and efforts, and very much appreciated. After Al’s passing in September 2004, it quickly became apparent that Bobbie was devastated with the loss of her husband. They are now together. They both will be much remembered and forever appreciated. I (Kristine) found Bobbie to be such a delight to be around. She made me laugh, while we both worked together diligently to prepare for special events for faculty and students. Her variety of experiences in education and work brought her insight which helped me better understand and endure some of the difficult situations that we encountered. - - - - - - - May you all rejoice over the wonderful life of Bobbie Stephens, Sincerely, Jay F. Kunze (retired Dean of Engineering at ISU) and Kristine Kunze (past President of ISU Women’s Club) Samuel Brasili brasili4@comcast.net I was shocked to hear of the passing of Bobbie. We were classmates throughout high school in Latrobe. You have our deepest sympathy & prayers. GOD bless all of you. Sam/Rose Brasili, 2636 Chesterfield Ct. Murfreesboro, Tn. 37129 Sally Jouris sjouris@aol.com David, Andrea, Holly and Christian I wonder if you will remember us? We were neighbors in Franklin Estates many, many years ago. I was so saddened to hear of you losing your mother, and your father before that. It was ironic this news would catch up with us, now in Wisconsin. Our daughter, Jaime (Portland, OR), and we send our condolences to all of you. How well I remember your mother's exceptional wit. Deepest sympathy. Sally Jouris Mary A. Hozempa (Aunt Toni) toni233043@aol.com I was indeed saddened to read of the untimely death of your mother. My nieces - Mary, Margie, and Kathy - had such fun playing with you girls (Andrea and Holly) when they stayed at my home in Franklin Estates during the summer. All three now live in Murrysville, Pa. They join me in extending deepest sympathy to all of you. Linda Kearns kearlind@isu.edu Hi: I'm sorry I didn't make it to Bobbie's funeral services. We had made plans a month ago to take our grandkids horseback riding. (That sounds sort of pathetic, but they would have been very disappointed.) I am so sorry to hear about Bobbie, she was always so full of life that I can't imagine her ever sick. She and Al were wonderful people, you were very fortunate to have them both as parents. Rick and I have such fond memories of both of them. Linda Linda Carter Beck carterbeck@q.com I was sad to hear about Bobbie. I worked in the media in Idaho Falls when she worked for KUPI & became acquainted with her there. She was always so friendly and upbeat...I always loved the conversations we had. She will be missed greatly.