Wednesday, February 20, 2008

This and that . . . .

I pulled this pic off ESPN.com. This was taken of me in Crested Butte, Co. Pretty cool. Only two weeks of sking and look at that. lol. --Army Sgt. Brandon Adam.

Brandon sent me this photo yesterday and said it was okay to post it on my blog this morning. The heading in his note read, "Skiin' maybe a future?" Knowing Brandon, whatever he wants to make as his future will be, and in a big way. Keep up the good work, Brandon. We are proud of you.

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I have sad news to report about a former student, colleague and friend, Roberta Welker Bostock. Roberta died Sunday at Bonner General Hospital due to a rapidly-developing colon cancer.

Roberta graduated in the early '70s from SHS. She was a member of my Ponderettes Drill Team. Somewhere, tucked away either in my memory or in a box, is a photo of Roberta serving punch at Bill and my wedding reception in June, 1974. I also will always cherish the beautiful horse mug along with the thoughtful retirement card she gave me when I left SHS for good in 2002.

Roberta married SHS grad, Bill Bostock, and they had two wonderful boys, Kyle and Casey, both the apples of Roberta's eyes. I told friends the other day that I'll always take with me the many times Roberta would share with me the good news of her boys. She was so proud of them.

As my sister Barbara said, Roberta was one of the nicest, sweetest persons anyone could ever meet. Another friend and former colleague said she never, ever had an unkind word to say about anyone, no matter how obnoxious or deserving that person could be. Roberta saw only the good and spoke only the good of people. A rare trait, indeed.

Roberta worked in several secretarial capacities at Sandpoint High School, including receptionist---the kind, warm, smiling face that greeted everyone who came to the office window. And, if a person happened to be standing at her desk and the phones were ringing off the hook, she did her best to multitask with the phones and still tend to that person's needs.

Most recently, Roberta served as administrative assistant to SHS Athletics/Activities Director Cheryl Klein. Cheryl predicted the other day it would take her a long time to find anyone with all the rare and wonderful qualities Roberta brought to that office.

This has been a stunning piece of news to digest for anyone who knew Roberta---not only because of the void it will leave with her much beloved family but because of the hundreds and hundreds of friends, colleagues and perfect strangers whom she has affected so positively during her lifetime. Plus, it has all happened too fast. She was diagnosed over Christmas vacation, leaving little time for all who would have wanted to communicate to her how much she meant to her family, her school and the community.

Yesterday, I received information about her memorial service and about funds being set up to help the Bostock family and to honor Roberta's memory. That information follows along with a reminder of the impact a person with such goodness has on a community.

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The service for Roberta is Saturday at 10:00 at First Christian Church. They are going to be serving lunch and they are expecting a large turnout. Kim Brackett is preparing the lunch and needs help with salads, desserts, and side dishes. If anyone can bring something you can e-mail me or call Kim at 290-5021 or 255-4865. She would appreciate any help!

A Memorial Fund for Roberta will be established later this afternoon at Mountain West Bank, by Bill and Kyle, for the purpose of donations that will later be made into a long-term memorial account.

Bill, Kyle and Casey were very excited the high school wanted to create a foundation in her honor and are excited to help us get started. Until they decide what specifically her memorial account should focus on, whether it become a scholarship or donate to Teen MOPS each year, etc… the account will be titled “Roberta Bostock Memorial Fund” at this time for those who would like to contribute.

For those who would like to donate to the family personally, please send contributions to:
First Christian Church: Bostock Memorial Fund , 201 N. Division, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
This would help their family out greatly as well.

I hope that we will be able to carry on Roberta’s tradition of kindness and compassion through this memorial.
Thank you for letting everyone know. ~~Erica Loveless Haynes

2 comments:

live love laugh hope said...

One more thing that is being done for the family:
In honor of Roberta those of us who were touched by her life would like to compile a book of memories for her family. If you have a story or a picture you would like to share, please write it down and drop it off at any of the following locations.
First Christian Church or
Sandpoint High School or
Riverstone Real Estate

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Marianne for getting the word out. A horrific set of events, and yeat another reminder of how fragile life can be...
Darrell Gustaveson