Roberta Kay Miner

Roberta Kay Miner died unexpectedly at home of natural causes on July 3, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. She was 64 years old.

Born January 12, 1961, in Puyallup, Washington, Roberta was the middle of three daughters born to Robert and Katherine (Ferderer) Miner. She and her sisters Dr. Claudia Miner of Reno, Nevada, and Dr. Rebecca Miner of Edmonds, Washington, were raised in Vancouver, Washington where their father was an IRS agent, and their mother operated a daycare.

Roberta attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Shumway Junior High, and graduated from Hudson's Bay High School in 1979. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where she was in the Honors Program, served as editor of The Gonzaga Bulletin and graduated in 1983 with a B.A. in journalism.

Roberta's career centered on writing, editing, leadership, and the arts. In Spokane she worked as a writer and editor for The Spokesman-Review and as Marketing Director for Interplayers Theatre. In Seattle she served as Administrator for Book-It Repertory Theatre, Development Director for Dress for Success, and Tours Director at Seattle Architecture Foundation. At SAF she trained and inspired a cadre of volunteer tour guides and expanded the tours program, creating new offerings such as "Seattle's Greatest Hits", and "Cars, Bars, and Dead Rock Stars," and helping to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.

As a volunteer, Roberta co-founded the non-profit Bad Fruit which hosted concerts and comedy shows to support artists facing life-threatening illnesses. She also served on the Seattle Tenants Union Board.

More recently she focused on perfecting delicious pie recipes for her "Savior Fork" project, hosting gatherings of her many friends, and bringing unique flavors together. She was a talented collage artist, working with paper, photographs, fabric and other found objects to create delightful displays. There was always something new and inspiring to admire when visiting her home.

Roberta had a gift for friendship and bringing people together. Jane Savard, who worked with Roberta on projects for the Belltown Community Council wrote, "Roberta was truly one of a kind-creative, quick-witted, and always full of life. She brought so much joy and energy to every room she entered, and working with her was not only productive but genuinely fun. She had a gift for lifting others up, whether through her generous spirit, her time, or her amazing baking (which many of us were lucky enough to enjoy.) She gave so freely of herself, always ready to lend a hand or share a laugh. Roberta left the world a little brighter and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her."

In addition to her sisters, Roberta is survived by her brothers-in-law Bill Eubank, and Timothy Buckley, and her family of friends including Bridget Kelsh, Michael Weaver, Barbara Halliday, and many more.

A funeral Mass will be held for Roberta August 14, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 4723 NW Franklin St, Vancouver, WA.

A celebration of Roberta's life will be held in Seattle on September 1, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Bar Vacilando Restaurant, 405 15th Ave E.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in support of the Brautigan Library at the Clark County Historical Museum. Please specify Brautigan in your donation. https://clark-county-historical-society.monkeypod.io/give/support-clark-county-historical-society