Roberta Ruth Howie

December 28, 1941 - December 16, 2024

Roberta, known as “Bobby” to her parents, family and close friends, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba according to her father on the coldest night of the year. By age six her family moved to Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood. Relocating to Victoria for a short time, they returned to Vancouver’s West Side just a few years later.

Roberta served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was stationed in Parent (La Tuque), Quebec. In the late 1960’s looking for adventure, she traveled to Europe on a solo journey by boat. While in Spain she wrote to her parents about how hot it was, and how she might be eating what seemed like a “crate of oranges a day” because they helped quench her thirst. She worked in Spain teaching English to children, and in London, working at the luxury department store Harrods. It was Paris, however, that became Roberta’s favourite city where she would socialize with the locals and take in the beauty and art the city had to offer.

Returning to Kitsilano in the mid 60’s, Roberta soon began a career at ICBC spanning over 25 years. Upon retirement, she became a committed community volunteer, receiving a number of awards in recognition of her efforts. One of the many little extras she did was to help paint the large Kitsilano Community Centre mural.

Roberta was passionate about hockey and baseball, so much so that for years she spent hundreds of hours combing through newspapers and magazines for sports news, growing her collection of article clippings and sports cards. As a proud Canadian, Roberta knew hockey like the back of her hand and, if given the opportunity, she would have outsmarted any commentator at a national Canadian game with her vault of knowledge.

Roberta liked to be outside everyday, getting her “walkies” in rain or shine. Even as her pace slowed down over the years, she could still be found getting around the neighbourhood popping into local shops and businesses, a well-known member in her community. Her bright baseball caps and colourfully decorated walker with stuffed toys swinging from the hand grips made her easy to spot in her community. While her passing is felt by those who knew her, she was a spirited woman who will not be forgotten.

A graveside service will be held at Surrey Centre Cemetery, located at 16670 60 Ave, Surrey, BC, V3S 1S9, Canada. The service is scheduled for January 29, 2025, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.