Jane Roberts

Mary Jane Albracht Roberts, of Amarillo, died on March 20, 2026, in Amarillo.

A vigil service will be at 6:00 pm on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. The celebrant will be Rev. John Valdez. A reception will immediately follow the mass in the Msgr. Tash Hall.

Mary Jane Albracht Roberts, lovingly known as Jane, to her family and friends, and Mama Jane or MJ to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born on September 22, 1933, in Lindsay, Nebraska, to her parents, Alphonse M. and Leona Pohlmeier Albracht. She was the second-born of nine children. At the age of 15, due to her asthma, Jane moved from Nebraska to Texas to live with her dear grandparents, John and Theresa Pohlmeier, in Nazareth, where she graduated from high school. Upon graduation, Jane worked at the Plainview Herald and saved enough money for tuition to study journalism at West Texas State University, where she became editor of the college newspaper. After five semesters, she went to work at the Amarillo Globe-News and then at a local television station, constantly taking classes to fulfill her dream of a college degree. That dream came true at age 45 when she earned her college degree after her four children began high school.

As a homemaker, Jane was a pillar of support for her husband, David, whom she married on April 21, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amarillo. He worked tirelessly to establish the successful family business, Roberts Truck Center. Jane, deeply committed to her family and community, felt very fortunate that this success allowed her the opportunity to pursue a variety of interests. She never felt too old to learn something new. She volunteered for a number of civic organizations, including Baptist St. Anthony’s Hospice, Downtown Women’s Center, Amarillo Republican Women’s Club, and Serra Club. Jane was a long-time member of the Tascosa Country Club.

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where her family was a founding member, was an integral and meaningful part of Jane’s life. Over the many years, she served the church as a lay lector, Eucharistic minister, member of the Altar Guild and Parish Board, and was responsible for the parish newsletter for several years.

Jane loved books, bridge, politics, travel, and a lively conversation about any of those topics. She adored all the dear friendships made over her lifetime, but most of all, Jane loved her faith and her family. She especially basked in the delight of her great-grandchildren, who brought her so much joy and laughter in her later years.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, David, on August 20, 2007, her parents, her father and mother-in-law, Norman and Hazel Roberts, her brother Dale Albracht, her sister Ethel Heimann, her sisters-in-law, Bonnie Mills, Jean Winningham, and Jo Ann Albracht, and her brothers-in law, Art Weidner, Zach Harsh and Keith Pollard.

Jane is lovingly survived by her two sons, Blaine David Roberts and his wife Kelly of Amarillo, Blair Norman Roberts and his wife Susan of Pilot Point; her two daughters, Mary Celeste Bright and her husband Ed of Amarillo and Cara Marie Quintanilla and her husband Poncho of Amarillo; her six grandchildren, Lauren Roberts Reinbach and her husband Max III of Austin, Texas, Ben Roberts and his wife McKenzie of Dallas, Andy Roberts and his wife Mary of Austin, Anna Weirick Wilson and her husband Drew of Milwaukee, WI, Hillary Roberts Timchak and her husband Eric of Pilot Point and Ethan Weirick of Amarillo; her great-grandsons, Max Reinbach IV, Fielding Roberts, Lane Roberts, Hugo Wilson and Blaine Roberts; her great-granddaughters, Annie Reinbach, Maren Wilson, and Lena Timchak; her brothers, Wayne Albracht and his wife Nancy of Madison, NE, Gary Albracht and his wife Sandy of Modesto, CA; and Dick Albracht and his wife Janice of Woodward, IA; her sisters, Kathy Pollard of Columbus, NE; Mickey Weidner of Norfolk, NE; and Sue Whorlow and her husband John of Omaha, NE; her brother-in –law, Ben Heimann of Harvard, IL; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family suggests that memorials be made to The Catholic Historical Society, Diocese of Amarillo, PO Box 5644, Amarillo, TX 79117; The Diocese of Amarillo, Seminary Burse, PO Box 5644, Amarillo, Texas 79117; Heal the City, 609 S Carolina St, Amarillo, Texas 79106, or a charity of your choice.