Roberta Jean Kennedy Wagner

The only child of Robert Clyde and Hazel May Gruver Kennedy, Roberta Jean Kennedy Wagner was born in Wenatchee, Washington on April 20, 1928. Her father died when she was three years old, but her mom continued to work their apple orchard. Jean lived there on the orchard with her mom until they moved to an apartment in town. She left for the University of Washington after graduating from Wenatchee High School, and in Seattle, she worked as a secretary for the legislature at the State Capitol and later for the State of Washington Rehabilitation Services.

Jean met Robert Wagner in the college group at the University Presbyterian Church in Seattle and they were married on June 12, 1950. They lived in the Seattle area for a little over a year and then they moved to Oklahoma City where Karen was born. They moved to Midland, Texas with Mobil Oil for a short time and then on to Abilene, Texas where Paul was born two years later. They were still living in Abilene when Betsy was born two and a half years after Paul. Their family was complete when Steve was born in July of 1960 after they moved to Wichita Falls. The family moved to California in 1964, and from there they moved to Boulder in 1972 where they’ve made their home ever since, except for a stent in Plano, Texas from 1975-1978.

As their kids grew up, Jean lovingly welcomed each of her daughters- and sons-in-law as her own, and as the families began to grow, she joyfully welcomed and loved each of her eight grandchildren, Jennifer and Carrie, Michael, Brian, Brad and Shana; and Abby and Taylor. She also had 14 great-grandchildren, ages 1-10: Dawson, Caitlyn, Jackson, Loralyn, Kelsey Landon, Timothy, Susan, Katherine, Lucy, Joshua, Elie Jane, Jacob and Liam.

Jean was kind and gentle, and she loved music, sewing, animals and art. She loved her family and for many years, she enjoyed fixing meals every Wednesday night for Paul’s family who also lived in Boulder County. She was an amazing seamstress and made curtains for their house as well as several old-fashioned Sunday dresses for her granddaughter Shana. She especially enjoyed family Christmases when the three out-of-town children and their families would also gather together in Colorado for a great meal, games and fellowship. She had a talent for making their home warm and inviting—a comfortable place where everyone could come and relax.

During the past ten years or so, she faced the biggest challenge in her life as she endured the steady decline of Alzheimer’s. In January 2012 she moved from their home to the Reminiscence Center at Sunrise of Boulder where she received excellent, loving care and became a favorite resident because of her kind and gentle spirit. At the beginning of her time there, she was seen trying to comfort other residents when they were sad.

As a child Jean recognized her need for a Savior and she accepted His forgiveness for her sins and received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She faithfully walked with Him throughout her life, and in the last years, He has faithfully carried her—and now taken her home to live in His very presence for all eternity!