Estelle Roberts

Estelle Caloia Roberts was named so by her Italian mother because she saw stars in her eyes. She grew up alongside 6 brothers and sisters in the Italian section of East L.A., a vibrant world to which she returned in her writing. Her essay on the Lincoln Heights of her youth was published by the L.A. Times in 1984.

Estelle married writer-professor Myron Roberts as he went to war in WWII. Their marriage was lived to the sound of Sinatra, the taste of Estelle's Italian food and dry martinis, the excitement of frequent big parties with lifelong friends, and travels to Europe. (And See's candies. Lots of See's.) Estelle became Myron's partner and muse in several literary endeavors, including as a founding editor of L.A. Magazine (now Los Angeles). Deeply interested in both politics and the arts, she served as president of local chapters of Democratic clubs, and became an award-winning painter. She was a dynamo in red lipstick.

Estelle was a mother's mother (as one of her daughter's friends once said) to her daughters, Cathy and Victoria, and passed on her creativity to them as well as granddaughters Heather Mandl Ross and Sasha Ross. She died on Sunday, November 17, at the age of 88. Her family is very grateful for the care she received at Sunrise Santa Monica. Estelle will be dearly missed by her friends and family, and remembered for living a life of generosity and style.

Celebration of Life to be hosted at a later date.