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JILL ROBERTS Obituary

ROBERTS--Jill Leda Appleman. Born in 1938, Jill Leda Appleman Roberts passed away on March 20th, 2020. The founder of the Jill Roberts IBD Center, and the Jill Roberts Institute, at the Weill Cornell Medical Center. Mrs. Roberts was an impassioned and hands-on philanthropist, devoted to helping people; ameliorating their pain and suffering. Towards this, she funded trials and research about nutrition, intestinal disorders, epigenetics, and the human microbiome. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William Roberts, her four children Jan, David, Samuel, and Daniel Roberts. Her daughters-in-law Deborah Roberts, Danielia Roberts, and Nina Wheeler Roberts, her five grandchildren, Lauren, Andrew, Michael, Miranda, and Olivia Roberts, and her sister Susan Unterberg. About death, she would remark "I do not know what will happen, but I know there will be no pain." She rests now, painless, with her parents Nathan and Janet Appleman.

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 24, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for JILL ROBERTS

Sponsored by Daniel Roberts.

36 Entries

Patricia M Luce

March 20, 2021

On the first anniversary of Jill Roberts death I remember her with gratitude. She showered her love and compassion on all who sought care at the Jill Roberts Center.

Michael Kerr

November 12, 2020

It was today, during the annual CCF function as Dr. Ellen Scherl was accepting an award that Susie and I were shocked to learn that Jill Roberts passed away. It was at a special function held in honor of Dr. Scherl and Jill that i met Jill. The function was an announcement of the opening of the Jill Roberts IBD Center. I watched as Jill unselfishly devoted hours as a volunteer in the center and again i watch Jill at the opening of the Jill Roberts Research Center. Jill represented the best there was in philantrophy. She gave of her money, she gave of her time, she gave of her heart and she gave of her love. She was a beacon and one of a kind people like Jill are rare to find. Every time I called and spoke with Jill, she made me feel special. She was focused on what she could accomplish through the efforts of others. And, when those efforts need to be funded, she was there. I world was made better by Jill Roberts.

Keshia holder

September 15, 2020

I have known Jill for 8 years, while working in the GI department at Weill Cornell. She was an amazing person to me and anyone she came across. My children and I are forever grateful for everything Jill has said and done for us and for always remaining a positive influence in our lives.

Miss you Jilly poo
Keshia

Marie Jean

August 26, 2020

She was a very caring always ready to help in anyway she can. I love that woman and miss her a lot.

Rhonda Waller-Reid

August 24, 2020

I met Jill at the JR IBD Center more than a decade ago. She was such a warm-hearted woman. I’m just finding out and I’m sad. The world was a better place when she was in it.

Andrew Delaney

July 12, 2020

i was very sad to read about Mrs. Roberts' passing. The world has lost a very remarkable lady. My sincere condolences to the Roberts family.
Andy Delaney
Friend

Marie

April 30, 2020

She was a great human being and I was lucky knowing her.

Marie

April 30, 2020

I m so sorry of her passing.I was blessed knowing her. She was a great human being .truly she will be miss. My sincere condolences to the family.

Martin Bell

April 9, 2020

Bill,
Sheila and I are saddened to hear about the loss of your wife of 62 years Jill. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Marty Bell

April 8, 2020

To the family of Mrs. Jill Roberts: I am shocked and saddened to read that your heroic, prescient matriarch has died. I feel perpetually grateful for the compassion and generosity that motivated her to fund an IBD Center for Weill Cornell patients like myself, plus the endowed chair at WCMC for an IBD subspecialist in clinical medicine fourteen years ago. Owing to Jill Roberts' moral and financial support our dedicated physician, Dr. Ellen Scherl, and we IBDers, long among the stepchildren of the U.S. health care system, finally got the top-rate assistance, attention, and respect we desperately needed! Thanks to her untiring efforts we could attend IBD support group meetings in comfortable surroundings, and also get new information from the many clinical and research specialists recruited by Dr. Scherl to participate in the Roberts Center gatherings. May the memory of Jill Roberts' genuine altruism long remain a beacon for the WCM doctors, patients, and researchers she encouraged and supported! Her fervent advocacy for compassionate, ethical, and progressive medical practice truly sets a gold standard in our world. / Sincerely, Rosanne F.

Patti Munter

April 5, 2020

Dearest Jill,
I cannot believe you are gone.
In your honor I will pray harder, fight stronger, walk longer, and appreciate every single second of my life even more than I have learned how to do.

I will send all your beautiful Shabbat prayer-letters to your family so they understand the size and shape and depth of the courage and strength you give me.

You are a source of light, Jill.
Pure golden light.
And now you are with Gd.
Love,

Patti

Gildas Pierre

April 4, 2020

Dear Bill

My wife and I would like to extend our condolences to your family during this difficult time.
Although I never met Jill personally we were fortunate to have known Patti Munter a friend of Jill's a cancer survivor and fighter like me.
Patti reached out to Jill who generously donated a signifanct amount to my gofundme account.
Such a wonderful soul to have reached out to complete strangers in such a way, my wife and I are forever grateful. Her memory lives on, stay strong,she's with the angels.

David Artis

April 3, 2020

On behalf of the staff, students, trainees and faculty of the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in IBD at Weill Cornell Medicine,

It was with great sadness we learned the news that our close friend and colleague, Jill Roberts, passed away.

There are no words to articulate the enormous impact Jill has had on all of our lives and the enormous sadness we feel. Her energy, passion and commitment to patient care, research and education in IBD is truly immeasurable and she will be greatly missed.

We can all be fortunate that we had the opportunity to know and work with such an incredible woman who shared our passions for all that we do. Her impact and legacy will be long-lasting.

In this period of sadness and grief, all of our thoughts and sympathies are with Jill's family and friends.

David Artis
Director, Jill Roberts Institute
Weill Cornell Medicine

March 31, 2020

Dear Bill!

My deepest condolences to You and your family. Words are never adequate in moments likes these.There are things
that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go. May the soul of your wife rest in peace.

Valerij, Hineni

John and Maria Henning

March 31, 2020

Dear Bill,

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your loving wife Jill. Please accept my and Maria's deepest sympathy for you and your family at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John and Maria Henning

tavit Najarian

March 30, 2020

Dear Bill: I was saddened to hear about the loss of your wife, Jill. What an accomplished personality. May her memories and long-lived partnership provide you and your family the solace you all need during these difficult times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Tavit O. Najarian, Sc.D., (a friend from Monmouth University)

Paul Doherty

March 28, 2020

Bill, I was saddened to hear about Jills' passing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Paul Doherty Jr

Shauna Berliner

March 28, 2020

Jill,

I'm truly blessed to have known you. I'm writing this to let you know our last interaction at Lauren's bridal shower is something that really impacted me, but I wasn't able to tell you in person, so I hope this somehow makes its way to you.
As people began to arrive, I remember feeling a little lost in the crowd.
The feeling was completely reversed when you walked across a crowded room to greet me. Sweetly and warmly you grasped both my hands and said so genuinely it so nice to see me and asked about all the little details of my life, family, health etc. I was so taken back that you, a guest of honor with so many friends and family members gathered around you and you went out of your way to greet me, it meant so incredibly much to me, thank you Jill. The interaction was brief, but it stuck with me. I can still feel the warmth of your hands around mine, and the kindness you shared with me. Your concern that I should feel comfortable and welcomed is one of my most cherished memories of that day. Thank you for sharing your graceful goodness with me, it's something I'll never forget.

Xoxo
Shauna Berliner

Beth Brody - Monmouth University

March 28, 2020

Dear Bill and your loving family. We are so very saddened to hear of the loss of Jill. May her beautiful and bright light continue to shine within each of you. She was a wonderful and caring woman, devoted to brightening the lives of so many others. xo

Beth Brody - Monmouth University

March 28, 2020

Dear Bill and your loving family. We are so saddened to hear of the loss of Jill. May her beautiful light continue to shine within you all. What a wonderful woman, devoted to helping so many others throughout her life.

March 28, 2020

We are deeply saddened to hear the sad news of Jill's passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Bill. - Rekha Datta, Monmouth University

Patrick Leahy

March 28, 2020

All of us here at Monmouth University send our condolences to Bill and the entire Roberts family. May Mrs. Roberts rest in peace forevermore.

Aaron Pearlman

March 26, 2020

Its been awhile that I last saw Mrs. Roberts but Ive been thinking a lot about her lately and my childhood. Sam and I became best friends at Browning and I developed a great friendship with Daniel, as well. With that, I became close to the entire family. I remember Jill always being very welcoming when I would visit and interested in what was happening in my life. She was always dressed exquisitely. I remember baseball games being on the TV often at the Roberts household and Jill being very savvy about the game. In fact, my last correspondence with her was a group e-mail (with Sam, Daniel and Jill) from last year when the Mets manager was fired and she predicted correctly who would be the new one! But, my greatest admiration of Jill centers around her extremely giving nature. Sam shared with me her efforts at Cornell Medical Center over the years and how much of her life was devoted to this cause and helping others. Lastly, Id like to send my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Roberts. Much love to him and the entire family. Aaron Pearlman.

Dionne Sames

March 25, 2020

Mr. Roberts, Sammy, Dani, Olivia and the entire family, I am so very sorry for your loss. May Jill rest in perfect peace...no more pain, no more sorrow!

Harriet Berliner

March 25, 2020

For the past 35 years you have been like a sister to me.We share wonderful children and grandchildren.You are missed and loved from the bottom of my heart. You were always there when anyone needed you in sickness and in health. I love you.

Douglas Roberts

March 24, 2020

Intrepid, caring and kind, you were larger than life to me. Thank you for being there when times were hard. You will be dearly missed.

Jennifer Roberts

March 24, 2020

Loved deeply and an incredible example for so many of us..Aunt Jill, you will be sorely missed. It is unfathomable to accept you are not here, but you live on in spirit. I will try my best to follow in your footsteps of commitment.. commitment to those we love, commitment to community, and commitment to those in need. xoxoxo

Carl Stanton

March 24, 2020

We are so very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful life she lived...

Lauder Bowden

March 24, 2020

I knew Jill over the years as a discerning and rigorously spartan individual who only wanted the serenity the beauty provides. I am rich from knowing her. And . . . yes, she was fearsome and strong.

Lauren Breskin

March 24, 2020

Gram. I love you and I miss you. You are an eternal inspiration to me.

Lauren Breskin

March 24, 2020

Gram, I love you and I miss you. You are an eternal inspiration to me. I am so proud to be your granddaughter.

Nina Wheeler Roberts

March 24, 2020

I love you forever, Jill. Thank you for being a mother to me. I miss you. I know you are loving us and giving us strength. Your work, love, and spirit will live on in those who love you. Thank you for sharing your love with the world. Thank you for loving your loved ones so deeply. Thank you for being.
Love, your daughter-in-law, Nina Wheeler Roberts

Evelyn and Sam Rittenberg

March 24, 2020

The world will be a little bit of a lesser place. We send our thoughts, prayers, and love to the entire Roberts family.

Nyein Su

March 24, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Barbara Gray

March 24, 2020

I was a patient at the Jill Roberts Center, and I'll never forget the first time I called in ill, and Jill answered the phone and even though my appointment was a ways off, she barked "COME RIGHT NOW!" She was a staunch defender of the patients, whenever I had trouble contacting one of my doctors I could always count on Jill to sort it out. She was wise and funny and will be sorely missed!

DANIEL ROBERTS

March 24, 2020

Hi Mom. Ilyvvvvm

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