Sister Shirley Roberg, SNJM (1943-2023)
Sister of the Holy Names Shirley A. Roberg (Sister Armella Marie) died on November 18, 2023, at Hospice House of Spokane in Spokane, Washington. Shirley was born in Spokane on March 27, 1943, to Edward A. Roberg and Armella Marie (Rekofke) Roberg. The family moved to Yakima where Shirley attended St. Paul’s Elementary School and graduated from Yakima Central High School. She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at Marylhurst, Oregon, in August 1963 and pronounced perpetual vows in August 1970. Her college years began at Marylhurst College; she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fort Wright College (Spokane). She continued her education with her master’s degree in educational administration from Western Washington University (Bellingham).
Sister Shirley’s ministerial career began with teaching junior high grades, but her gift as an administrator was soon recognized thus pointing the direction to the ministries in which she would serve over her lifetime. She served as principal in parish schools staffed by Sisters of the Holy Names before being selected to serve on the Leadership Team of the then Washington Province of the Sisters of the Holy Names. Ten years later she was again selected to serve, this time as the Washington Province’s Provincial Director. When the Sisters of the Holy Names consolidated their United States and Ontario (Canada) provinces in 2005, Sister Shirley served on its first administrative team. In between these leadership positions within the Holy Names Community, Sister Shirley provided leadership in other organizations as director of a California halfway house for women parolees, several administrative position at Heritage College (Toppenish), Activity Director in a Spokane retirement facility, and as Executive Director of Our Place Ministries in Spokane.
Sister Shirley’s greatest gift was her ability to embrace life with a smile and listening heart. Her ability to make life fun for others and herself and her gifts of beautiful photography and inspirational poetry enriched her life and that of her family, friends, and religious community. Her love of gardening and wildlife in time led to her backyard being called “Shirley’s Sanctuary” a place that allowed for restorative peace from the debilitating illness that eventually came at the end of her life.
Sister Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Armella Roberg and her brothers Donald, Gregory, and Mark Roberg. She is survived by her siblings: Lawrence Roberg, Susan Schroeder, Sharon (Edward) Grant, Richard Roberg, Christopher Roberg, Douglas Roberg, Philip (Stacia) Roberg, Jean (Jerry) Orlowski, and Janet Goben, and by her numerous nieces and nephews and their families. She is survived by her religious community the Sisters and Associates of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and the many friends who were warmed by her smile, humor, and strength of character. The Sisters of the Holy Names want to thank Sister Shirley’s family, especially her sister Sharon, her faithful driver Taffy McCoy, their Health & Well-Being staff, the staff of Hospice of Spokane and Hospice House for their loving and unwavering care of Sister Shirley.
Memorial gifts may be made to Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, PO Box 398, Marylhurst, OR, 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.
A small funeral was held for Sister on November 27th in the Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel, followed by her burial at the cemetery. A celebration of life is planned for December 9 at the Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall in Spokane. 3327 S. Perry St. Spokane WA 99203
