Jewell Tripp Roberds | 1921 - 2014 | Obituary

Jewell Tripp Roberds

May 29, 1921 - July 14, 2014

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After a two-year illness, Jewell Tripp Roberds passed away peacefully at her home in Fallbrook, CA on July 14, 2014 at 8:30 PM. She was born May 29, 1921 to Dan and Maud Tripp at the western end of San Jacinto Valley in a sheep camp, the youngest of seven children. She spent her early years on a homestead east of Temecula that her parents obtained in 1905. After the 1926 storm washed away a majority of the arable land, and then a fire destroyed the barn and all of her father's work horses, the family sold the ranch and moved into San Jacinto where Jewell entered first grade. She continued through all of the San Jacinto schools and graduated as valedictorian from San Jacinto High School in 1938. She then attended San Diego State. In 1940 she transferred to UCLA but left before Christmas to get married. In January 1941 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in San Jacinto, she married Bud Roberds whom she had known since the 8th grade. The marriage would last 73 years.
The newlyweds made their home in Burbank. Jewell worked on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles for a company that manufactured sporting goods while Bud continued his education at UCLA. In the evening when Bud was working in a service station, she typed his school papers "from scribbled notes with plenty abbreviations and arrows" as her husband recalls. He has often said that his diploma should have had both of their names on it.
When Bud was called to duty during World War II, she followed him from camp to camp until he was shipped over seas to Europe. She then returned to San Jacinto and lived with her parents. When her husband returned after a year and a half, they remained in San Jacinto because he was offered a position to teach music at their alma mater San Jacinto High School. They remained there another nine years, and it was during this time that her two children, William and Lorraine, were born. In 1956 the family moved to Fallbrook where Bud began teaching for the Fallbrook Schools. When she married, her education was interrupted, but after her children were in school, she resumed her studies and returned to San Diego State University. She earned her BA degree summa cum Laude in 1966, and taught in Fallbrook Elementary School District for several years.
She is a descendant of early California pioneers. Her grandfather, Samuel V. Tripp, crossed the plains in a covered wagon during the great California gold rush. He first settled in Hangtown (Placerville) before moving to Los Angeles where he built the town's first brick building. He then spent time in the San Bernardino area where he constructed several buildings one of which still stands as an historical monument. He moved to San Jacinto in 1869 where later he served as judge, the one depicted in Helen Hunt Jackson's "Ramona.
Her main love was for her family, her children and grandchildren. She also had a great fondness for wild life. She had two kinds of bird feeders and for years kept close track of the birds' migrations. She was a member of the California Retired Teachers, the San Jacinto and Fallbrook Historical Societies, Reche Club and an enthusiastic supporter of the Fallbrook Music Society. She was an avid reader and writer, but could not start her day without her morning coffee and crossword puzzle. In her long life, she witnessed two world catastrophes, the Great Depression and World War II. She watched the coming of radio, television, computers, and a real man on the moon. She also observed many changes in her beloved California, but often said one thing doesn't change and that is our beautiful mountains and especially Mt. San Jacinto.
Jewell, since she was the youngest member of her family, the closest sibling was seven years older, often said that her family"spoiled me rotten." Her husband would respond by saying to her and others that she was the least spoiled person he had ever known. Many simply described her as "sweet."
She is survived by her husband, Bud Roberds; daughter, Lorraine Roberds of Colton, CA; son, Bill, and wife Sue Amorosi of Kirkland, WA; and three granddaughters, Anna Roberds, Lia Roberds and Alaena Roberds.
Internment of ashes will be at San Jacinto Valley Cemetery on August 22, 2014 at 1:30 PM. A memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 450 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook on August 23, 2014 at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Fallbrook Senior Center, 399 Heald Lane.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Fallbrook Hospice 521 E. Elder St. Fallbrook, CA 92028 in memory of Jewell Roberds

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