Cleo Faith Roberts

Cleo Faith Roberts gained independence from her earthly bounds on Independence Day, July 4, 2008. Cleo and her late husband L.J. "Bob" Roberts, who passed on July 25, 1993, are known for their philanthropic support of many nonprofit organizations including gifts that provided the Communion table and an organ for Faith Presbyterian Church, an organ for Northern Arizona University Music Studies, homes for low-income families through Habitat for Humanity and cancer research funding through the American Cancer Society. Also, a breakthrough in age-related research happened in 1986 when Cleo and Bob's foresight and generous contributions to Sun Health Foundation made possible the opening of Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City. Since then, the institute has grown from a tiny building on the Sun Health Boswell Hospital Campus to the internationally renowned research center which now boasts the L. J. Roberts Center for Alzheimer's Research and the Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research. In her lifetime, Cleo traveled extensively to all parts of the world, and she was a member of PEO. She was a regular golfer in Sun City where she was a charter member of Palmbrook Country Club. In 1994, Cleo was honored as the first recipient of the L. J. "Bob" Roberts Memorial Golf Award that is presented in recognition of outstanding service at Sun Health Foundation's semiannual golf tournaments. The spring tournament benefits the Sun Health Research Institute, and Cleo annually matched the net proceeds of that event with her personal contribution to fund promising research efforts. Cleo was the recipient of the Inspiration Award from Sun Health Foundation in 2000 and the Spirit of Philanthropy Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 1997. Cleo is survived by her sisters Evelyn Madden of North Sioux City, SD and Kay Young of Tacoma, WA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews plus countless friends who love her and will miss her smiling presence every day. A memorial service in tribute to Cleo's amazing life will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 16000 North Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, on Friday, July 11, at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow. Internment will be private, with arrangements by Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City. At Cleo's personal request, memorial contributions are encouraged to Sun Health Foundation for benefit of the Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research at Sun Health Research Institute, PO Box 2015, Sun City, AZ 85372.