Roberta Ann Foxley

Roberta Ann Sleeter Foxley, 82, of Portland, Oregon, peacefully passed away on December 6, 2023, at her residence surrounded by her three children. Roberta was born on May 4, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington to Robert W. Sleeter and Pearl E. (Fawcett) Sleeter. Her early years were spent in California while her father was on active duty in the South Pacific as a doctor during World War II. After he returned home from the war, they settled in East Medford where she spent the rest of her childhood before graduating from Medford Sr. High in 1959.

Roberta was a lifelong learner, educator, and healthcare advocate. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in 1963, after which she worked as a Medical Technician. She moved to Ashland Oregon in 1976 with her children, where she received her Master of Science in General Studies from Southern Oregon State College in 1978. She worked subsequently as a Biology Teacher at the Medford Mid-High and North Medford high schools. While her passion for the sciences, academia, and healthcare was evident in her dedication to these roles, her true calling was realized when she received her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of California at Irvine in 1992 and was certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling in 1993. Her position in Genetic Counseling afforded her the opportunity to move to Portland, until her reluctant retirement in 2009, loving every moment that she had with this truly fulfilling career.

Outside of her professional life, Roberta enjoyed a variety of hobbies that the Portland area and its people had to offer. These included hiking, volunteering with Portland Parks & Recreation, playing Mahjong, gardening in her backyard, and travelling, to name a few. Such activities brought her joy and allowed her to connect with both nature and her friends and loved ones. She was fiercely dedicated to her grandsons and spent many hours supporting their sporting and school events. She could be found almost every weekend in the spring, summer & fall at her grandson Skye's baseball games and braved all sorts of weather to attend Forrest's track & cross country meets. She made it a point to take each boy on a trip each summer (until they were too cool to travel with grandma) and took them out to movies, wonderland, and sushi lunches on many school breaks. She was also a dyed in the wool Oregonian and passionate Oregon Ducks fan.

Roberta is survived by her children Kristen Foxley, Shannon Foxley, and Sean Foxley and her grandsons Skye Baker and Forrest Baker. Her love for her children was both immediately obvious and deeply felt, and she shared that commitment and love to her grandkids. As a single mother, Roberta displayed an unyielding commitment and resolute dedication to each of her children’s happiness and success. She is also survived by her younger siblings, Christine Sleeter, Ellen (Sleeter) Hellen, and Ron Sleeter.

Events to honor Roberta's life will be taking place on: Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the German American Society, 5726 NE Alameda Street, Portland, OR 97213 and Summer of 2024 (date TBD) at the family cabin at Lake of the Woods in Southern Oregon. Details of the summer event will be posted on her caring bridge site as they are available.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to End of Life Choices Oregon.

Per her request, she has a memorial headstone in Siskiyou Memorial Park, 2100 Siskiyou Blvd, Medford, Oregon 97504 next to her parents and near her grandparents.

Roberta, will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her kind heart, intelligence, and love for her family and friends will be remembered fondly. May she rest in peace.