Cleo Roberts

Cleo Roberts

Cleo Faith Roberts died July 4, 2008.

Ms. Roberts and her late husband, L.J. "Bob" Roberts, who died July 25, 1993, were 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.

A breakthrough in age-related research happened in 1986 when the Roberts' 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, Ms. Roberts traveled extensively to all parts of the world and 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 semi-annual golf tournaments.

The spring tournament benefits the Sun Health Research Institute and she annually matched the net proceeds of that event with her personal contribution to fund promising research efforts.

Ms. Roberts 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.

She is survived by her sisters, Evelyn Madden of North Sioux City, S.D., and Kay Young of Tacoma, Wash.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service was conducted July 11 at Faith Presbyterian Church, 16000 N. Del Webb Blvd., and a reception followed. Internment was private.

At Ms. Roberts' 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.