Rosie Roberts
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B - February 7, 2012
Rosie Roberts, 90, Grand
Junction, died Feb. 6, 2012, at
Hospice Care Center.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday
at Martin Mortuary.
Mrs. Roberts was a clerical
worker.
Survivors include two daughters,
Joan Nesbitt of Laguna
Beach, Calif., and Linda Laycock
of Grand Junction; five
grandchildren; and 11 greatgrandchildren.
Memorial contributions to
Hospice & Palliative Care of
Western Colorado, 3090B North
12th St., Grand Junction 81506;
or Roice-Hurst Humane Society,
362 28 Road, Grand Junction
81501.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5A - February 9, 2012
R o s i e R o b e r t s w a s b o r n t o
Basque immigrants, Margarita
Esnarrizaga and Antonio Retol
a z a o n J a n u a r y 2 2 , 1 9 2 2 , i n
Grand Junction, CO. She was
raised in their Basque Boarding
House on Second and Colorado,
where the shepherds rejuvenated
from their lengthy assignments.
Brothers Johnnie and Louie arrived
in the next three years completing the family. The years
working and living in the boarding house were filled with great joy.
After completing one year at Mesa Junior College, Rosie left
school to work at The Kress Store. She married Edward Lee Roberts,
December 10, 1942, in Colorado Springs. Their love affair began
in junior high school, when Eddie announced to Johnnie and
Louie "I'm going to marry that pretty girl" pointing to Rosie. They
had not yet been on a date or even started to talk to one another.
Daughters Joann Louise (Nesbitt) arrived on October 22, 1945 and
Linda Marie (Laycock) on May 26, 1947.
After Eddie's untimely death in May of 1968, Rosie returned to
college for secretarial courses. She secured employment with the
FBI in Washington DC and worked under J. Edgar Hoover. It was
an exciting time in our Nation to be living and working in our Capital.
Concern over her parent's health, Rosie returned to Denver,
Colorado and was employed by Colorado School of Mines. She later
worked in the State Dept. of Revenue and eventually transferred
back to Grand Junction. Rosie was the friendliest, most efficient
person working in the Motor Vehicle Office. Often she lent money,
gave motherly advice and encouragement, and always shared a
SMILE. Her ability to speak three languages was an asset that
helped many people through the years. After retiring from the State,
Rosie was a care giver to one of the Basque men who boarded at her
parents' boarding house during the 30's and 40's.
Time passes and grandchildren are arriving, Chris Nesbitt, Brandon
Shafer, Matthew Shafer, Ashley Hurd, and Jeff Nesbitt. More
time passes and she adds step-grandchildren, Andy and Mitch Laycock.
Joyous times came with the addition of 11 great-grandchildren.
Our Mother was passionate and proud of her heritage and her
family. She continued to talk about and love Dad (Eddie), every day
of her life. Her wonderful laugh and great sense of humor will echo
in our minds. We are proud to be Rosie's descendants.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February
11, 2012, at Martin Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be
made to Royce-Hurst Humane Society at P.O. Box 4040, Grand
Junction, CO 81502 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western
Colorado. Condolences may be left at martinmortuary.com.
