Roberta Papp was born Roberta Charlotte Lockie to Stewart and Esther Lockie in Ashern, Manitoba on February 11th, 1942, a few minutes after her twin sister. Roberta was the youngest girl of the family, with three older siblings Ian Lockie, Norman Lockie , Jean Giles, and her twin, Joyce Cantin (born 1932, 1936 and 1938, and nine minutes, respectively). Her two younger brothers, David Lockie and Donald Lockie (were born 1947 and 1952 respectively).
At seven years old she moved to Broadview, Saskatchewan, where she grew up on the family farm. At the end of Grade 11 from Broadview School, Roberta moved to Regina and then to Craigmyle, Alberta to pursue work on a road gang cooking. This was the very beginning of her life as a cook, baker, and caterer. In 1961 she had her first son Robert Dack, and due to her love for her son placed him for adoption. Shortly thereafter, Roberta moved back Regina and found work at the General Hospital as a dishwasher. In 1963 she moved to Indian Head, to work at the Orange Home as a cook. It was there in 1964 she married William Shewfelt, and their family grew to include two beloved sons, Richard Shewfelt and Ernie Shewfelt (born in 1964 and 1967). Shortly after Ernie was born, the family moved to Kipling and the family was blessed with their only daughter Kathleen Shewfelt (1970).
In 1972, tragedy struck. William was killed in a car accident, and Roberta and her young family moved back to Regina Co-op housing. A series of moves followed. In three years, in 1975, the family moved to Kroneau, and in 1976 Roberta bought a farm in Sedley. She then sold the farm in 1978 and worked two jobs to save for a new house. During that time, her three children (Richard, Ernie and Kathleen) were cared for by their grandparents in Broadview, and Roberta lived in Regina. Due to her hard work and dedication at Borden Buns Bakery (as a baker and cake decorator) and the Regina Police Service (as a cook) she was able to reunite her little family in a new home in Regina.
Roberta’s faith in God never wavered. The family grew in faith together at Avonhurst Pentecostal Tabernacle, and Roberta modelled her unshakeable faith in God – a vital part in her life. Roberta’s children attended Bible Camp during the summers at Springside Apostolic Camp, continuing the tradition, as she had fond memories of attending Springside Bible Camp as a child.
On July 2nd, 1983 Roberta was blessed a second time by love. She married Irvine Gill and their now blended family moved to Indian Head. Her family of three quickly became a family of six, and Roberta became a step-mom to three adult children David (Suzanne) Gill, Sandra (Lyndon) Cramer, and Sharon (Randy) Quick. Roberta continued her faith in the Lord and the family attended Indian Head Salvation Army Church. Later Irvine and Roberta became part of the family at The Wolseley Evangelical Church, and then helped to build the Indian Head Community Bible Church.
Sadly, in 1987 Roberta’s step-son, David Gill passed away and her step-daughter-in-law Suzanne and her grandchildren – Lisa and Donovan – moved back to Charlotte, North Carolina where Suzanne’s family resided, for additional support. Many family trips were driven going to the US to enjoy the company of family and friends.
In 1995, Roberta was blessed when her first son Robert Dack found her through letters to other family members. Thankfully, he always knew his birth mother’s name was Lockie. Roberta was overjoyed that her son had found her, and he was eagerly introduced to and welcomed by the family. Through God’s grace Robert was raised by a lovely Christian woman, and Roberta was thankful that he now had two moms to love him.
Everyone knew how Roberta loved babysitting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to travel and often took her vacations in Calgary, AB or Raleigh, NC to spoil the little ones. Every summer you would see Roberta helping out at a number of church camps: Moosomin Church of God Camp, Circle Square at Wolseley, Trossachs Apostolic Camp, and Springside Apostolic Camp
In 2003, after twenty years of marriage, Roberta’s husband Irvine Gill passed away. Sadly, once again Roberta was a widow. She moved from the farm into town, trading homes with Irvine’s nephew Harold Gill. Roberta continued to be an intricate part of the Indian Head Community Bible Church and continued her career in cooking and baking by working at the Indian Head Bakery, and volunteering to cook at Trossach’s Bible Camp in the summer.
Love found Roberta again and she married George Papp in October 2015. The newlyweds moved to Sylvan Lake, and shortly thereafter, in 2016 George and Roberta decided to spend some of the coldest prairie months in Hawaii. They both loved Hawaii and they quickly made new friends.
In October 2018 Roberta felt that something was wrong and consulted a doctor. She was diagnosed with a form of cellular cancer in December 2018, and sadly the disease progressed very quickly. Roberta was blessed by the support and comfort of being surrounded by her family and friends. She prayed for us, and her strength and acceptance were a comfort and a blessing. It is with great sadness that the family of Roberta Papp announce her passing on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, Roberta was called to sit at the Lord’s feet, untroubled and confident in the word of the Lord: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, through the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:1-3)
Roberta leaves a lifetime of love and memories for her family, friends, and community. Her resilience, confidence in the Lord, and shining smile will be a part of us always.
She leaves behind her beloved husband George Papp. Her 4 brothers: Ian(Christel) Lockie, Norman (Mabel) Lockie, Dave (Joan) Lockie, Donald Lockie, twin-sister Joyce Cantin; brother-in-law’s Donald Giles, Cliff (Carolyn) Shewfelt; and sister-in-law Judy Knigge… As well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Roberta was pre-deceased by her former husbands: William Shewfelt and Irvine Gill; Parents Esther and Stewart Lockie; her sister Jean Giles; sister-in-Law Mary Lockie; brother-in-law’s Emery Knigge and Paul Cantin; and step-son David Gill.
Her loss is keenly felt by her children: Robert (Cherie) Dack, Richard (Karen) Shewfelt, Ernie (Marie) Shewfelt and her daughter Kathleen Shewfelt; her step-daughters Sandra (Lyndon) Cramer, Sharon (Randy) Quick, Suzanne (Tim) Hughes; her seventeen grandchildren: Lisa (Chris) Avery, Donovan (Buffy) Gill, Natalie (Jonathan) Kakish, Melissa Cramer, Braden (Claire) Quick, Brian (Julieta) Quick, Stefan (Courtney) Shewfelt, Tavin (Jackie) Dack, Joy (Christian) Dack, Cody Shewfelt, Jesse Shewfelt, Allana Shewfelt, Emma Shewfelt, Olivia Shewfelt, Abraham Shewfelt; her ten great grandchildren; Tim (Amber)Avery, Brenden Avery, Nathanial (Maylynn) Avery, Grayson (Briana)Avery, Cole Avery, Holly Avery, Elizabeth Gill, Jaxon Gill, Jon Kakish and Layla Kakish: and finally Roberta’s four great -great-grandchildren Riley, Peyton, Cyrus, and Oliver Avery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in the name of Roberta Papp to the Canadian Cancer Society, online at www.cancer.ca/en/donate/?region=sk&s_srx=cancer.ca-navbar-en or by mail to The Canadian Cancer Society, National Office, 55 St Clair Avenue West, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M4V 2Y7.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Roberta Charlotte Papp February 26th 2019..
Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services
Death notice for the town of: Red-Deer, Province: Alberta