Donna Jean Roberts, loving wife of the late Thomas Warren Roberts, of Seelyville, passed away November 1, 2021. She was born September 11, 1926 in Newington, Connecticut to Lloyd and Mabel Caroline (Bennett) Reich.
Survivors include her five children: Cynthia Roberts (life partner Doug Spencer) of Carmel, Valeri Chapman of Terre Haute, Thomas (Doris) Roberts of Indianapolis, James Roberts of Seelyville and Cheryl Roberts of Sarasota, FL; five grandchildren: Brent (Julie) Johnson, Lauren (Jorge) Caso, Jamey (Scott) Dallamura, Kimberly (Johan) Gamboa, and Daryl Roberts; and six (soon to be seven) great- grandchildren: Adam, Samuel and Elliott Johnson, Jairo Caso, Noah and Theodore Gamboa. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Last but not least is her beloved cat, Emma.
Donna was a 1944 graduate of Warren Central High School, Indianapolis and of Indiana Business College where she obtained a secretarial degree. She was employed by Smaller War Plants Administration, US Naval Ordnance Plant and War Assets Administration in Indianapolis. Donna’s favorite job was that of a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great[1]grandmother, homemaker, and volunteer. Volunteer work included the Terre Haute Symphony Society, Christian Science churches, and Seelyville Volunteer Fire Department. She was a 50-year member of the Terre Haute Country Club. Donna’s interests included family, church, travel, cooking, art, music, dancing, nature, watching sports, reading, the British royal family , and meeting famous people and collecting their autographs, her favorite being that of Frank Sinatra.
Donna attended the 1964 Republican Convention in San Francisco and Ronald Reagan’s Presidential inauguration in Washington, DC. Donna loved life and lived it daily with her pretty smile, words of encouragement and giving nature. She loved to sing and especially enjoyed Handel’s Messiah as an alto with the Terre Haute/Indiana State University Symphony Chorus. One of her favorite places to spend time in the summer was at the Roberts’ family vacation home “Rest and Be Thankful” on Lake Manitou, Ontario, Canada, with her late husband, family, and many friends.
A celebration of Donna’s beautiful and remarkable life will be held at a future date, to be announced. A separate private ceremony for family will be held at Highland Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Callahan and Hughes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Donna Roberts’ name to the following: The First Church of Christ, Scientist 250 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity 210 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Terre Haute Symphony 25 North 6th ST Terre Haute, IN 47807.
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