FARMINGTON – Patricia Keith Roberts, 81, an early kidney transplant patient, died peacefully Sept. 10, 2009, with her family by her side, at home. Born July 18, 1928, in Winthrop, she was the daughter of Joseph and Cora (Lovejoy) Keith. She graduated from Winthrop High School in 1945 and in 1949 from Farmington State Teachers College. Married in 1949 to Prof. Gwilym Roberts, she traveled to many parts of the world with her family and with the University of Maine at Farmington Alumni travel group. Janet, the second of her five daughters, was born during a year of residence in Wales. Caring for her growing family and involvement in their activities was her greatest pleasure. While her children were young, she was active in Old South Congregational Church, Farmington, and in its Sunday school. A voracious reader throughout her life, she also greatly enjoyed traveling, playing bridge with friends, her book group, dancing, all kinds of music, theater, basketball and crossword puzzles. Expected in 1965 to live a very short time due to kidney failure, she received a transplant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, in 1969. This kidney, from a deceased donor, had the remarkable longevity of 28 years. When the transplanted kidney began to fail in 1998, she returned to dialysis for two years before receiving a second transplant from her daughter, Sara. This resulted in greatly improved health, which allowed her to enjoy an active life until a recent period of declining strength. She is survived by her five daughters and their families, Beth Roberts and her daughter, Rachelle Pean, of Albany, N.Y., Janet Roberts and her daughter, Seikah, of Brunswick, Megan Roberts and her husband, Peter Dumont, of Farmington, Sara Roberts of Waterville and Meredith Rehbach and her husband, Jeff, of Bristol, Vt.; and by her cousin, Ida Morrison of Limington. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Gwilym Roberts; and her sister, Pauline Hebert. Family and friends are invited for memorial visitation 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Route 2 and Route 27, Farmington. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Old South Congregational Church, Farmington. After services all are welcome to attend a reception in the church vestry, hosted by the Hospitality Committee. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Gwilym R. Roberts International Study Scholarship Fund, care of Ferro Alumni House, 242 Main St., Farmington, ME 04938. Condolences may be sent to her family via e-mail to info@wilesrc.com.
PATRICIA KEITH ROBERTS
