Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1912
DIED
2007
Roberta Starry Obituary
From Elk Point, South Dakota, to California, to Oregon and then to Texas, Roberta lived a life of adventure.
From a newspaper column written in 1951… "Take a love of art, travel and adventure, mix with a love of children and youth organizations, add a bright eyed look of interest at everything and anything that comes along and the ingredients make the personality of Roberta ..."
The article goes on to describe eight years as a social worker in the Ozarks, four years with Travelers Aid in Los Angeles, several years as executive director of the Ingelwood Girl Scout Council, and a year traveling in Mexico studying painting.
Taking an early retirement, Roberta moved to the ghost town of Garlock in the Mojave Desert in California. During those years she ran an antique shop and worked as a free lance writer. Her talents in writing and photography earned her several awards, including First Place for Historic Articles, California Press Women, in 1972. She was for many years a correspondent for several newspapers and a member of "Western Writers of America." Her articles and photos appeared in many national and regional publications including "Desert Magazine" and "Mother Earth News". Her two books, Gold Gamble and Exploring the Ghost Town Desert, were published in the early 1970s, with second editions released 30 years later.
Moving to Oregon in 1980 provided a whole new world to explore. She traveled the back roads learning the history and painting the scenery. She lived in Tenmile, Cottage Grove and Eugene, and continued to write, paint and photograph during those years.
She lived her final six years at Churchill Estates where she taught watercolor classes for the residents. At 94 her adventurous spirit led her in a new direction, a move to Texas to be closer to her grandniece and to experience a new environment.
Her talent, enthusiasm for life, and her willingness to share her talents with others are an inspiration, and she will be very much missed by her loving family.
Please sign the guest book at www.registerguard.com/legacy
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roberta Starry
Jeanne Long
February 28, 2007
Aunt Roberta was one of the people who taught me a lot about living in Oregon on a very small piece of property more than 25 years ago. She was wise and thoughtful and above all caring of others. I got to enjoy her company this last Christmas and watched her write about relatives to pass along to her family. She never gave it a thought not to share always with others. She will be missed by me and also my family.
Sandra White
February 16, 2007
Roberta meant so much to me and I am at a loss as to express my feelings at this time. She and her brother Edwin were my friends and Roberta was also my mentor giving me encouragement when I needed it. I have known her since the early 1990's when I met Roberta and Ed through my parents, Gordon and Betty Rikeman who have been deceased since 1995 and 1997. She was a rare jewel gracing our lives with much love and enthusiam. It is my great loss that I did not physcially see her more often. Roberta was a great gift to us all. If possible I would very much like to speak to you via phone Daphne. Thank you for sending me the letter. Sincerely, Sandra White Coquille,Oregon 541 396-3390
Carolyn (Post) Brennan
February 12, 2007
My deepest condolence to Roberta's family. My family had the general store in Randsburg (10 miles from Garlock, Ca.). Roberta inspired me to "live off the land" with my husband and three children on the Mojave Desert, as she was doing at Garlock. I visited her farm and listened to every word she said about making your own manure by collecting waste from other animals, etc. It worked for us for the next ten years until we left the desert to move north to Idaho. I have used many of her suggestions on our little farm in Idaho also. She was a very wise and gifted person. God bless you all in your loss. Carolyn
Liz Babcock
February 12, 2007
Roberta wrote a wonderful book, "Gold Gamble," which tells the story of the Rand Mining District in Southern California. We at the Maturango Museum are not only privileged to sell the book but we are also the lucky recipients of a huge collection of historically significant photographs she gave the museum for our collections. What a gifted lady!
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Sharron Pyle
February 5, 2007
She was a wonderful person. Roberta had way of making you feel good about yourself. I will miss her and her smile. I am a better person for having known her.
Julie Snell
February 4, 2007
Roberta was my watercolor teacher in the last class that she taught at Churchill Estates. I so appreciate her encouragement and interest. My condolences to her nieces and family on the loss of their aunt. I know she will be greatly missed. I feel lucky to have known her at the end of her life and wish I had met her earlier.
Erwin and Vicki Haussler
February 4, 2007
Roberta was our mother's table-mate at Churchill Estates. While mom was still alive we visited with her and her tablemates every day. although our visits since mom's passing have been infrequent, we will be forever grateful for having known Roberta for her sense of humor, wit, wisdom and positive outlook. We were also very lucky to have gotten a copy of her book that she graciously signed for us. Please accept our sympathy for your loss of a most remarkable woman, we loved her too.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in Roberta Starry's name
Memorial Events
for Roberta Starry
People and places connected with Roberta
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Roberta's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Roberta Starry's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
