OBITUARIES
Sarah Roberts was a devoted wife, a homemaker and a skilled artist who spent her life showering her family and friends with exquisite works of art. But few people who knew her would have ever guessed that she was a former drill sergeant during World War II.
“We have wonderful old photographs of Mom posing with her sword,” said her son, John M. Roberts V, a spinal surgeon in Cincinnati. “Growing up, if we ever stepped out of line, she would remind us that she was a drill sergeant.”
At a time when no one was sure if, when or how women might be called to join the war effort, Mrs. Roberts was chosen to act as a drill sergeant for the other women who attended The Ogontz School for Young Ladies, an all-girls junior college in Philadelphia, during the early 1940s.
Although the war ended before any of them were called to serve, Mrs. Roberts always cherished the experience and would recall it from time to time with a wry smile.
The Sewickley resident died Jan. 6 in Florida, where she typically spent her winter months, after a courageous fight with lung disease. She was 89.
Mrs. Roberts was best known for her artwork, which she proudly displayed at art shows in the Sewickley area. On occasion, she allowed charity organizations to auction off her work to raise funds. She was vehemently opposed to selling her work and would usually give paintings and items she had knitted to friends and family members.
“She was a phenomenal artist,” said another son, Richard C. Roberts of Sewickley. “She worked with oils, pastels and she did very extravagant needlepoint. It was mostly given out to family and friends. She never wanted to sell anything.”
He added that many of her creations were auctioned at charity events in the Sewickley area to benefit organizations such as Laughlin Children’s Center, which serves students with language problems.
She was a native of East Liverpool, Ohio. Her father, R.L. Cawood, was an industrialist in the pre-World War II years and owner of Patterson Foundry, which made equipment for the Pittsburgh steel industry. She spent her childhood days horseback riding and exploring the woods near her home.
After leaving Ogontz School, which is now part of Penn State University, she attended the former Art Institute of Philadelphia and specialized in oil and pastel techniques. In 1948, she met her husband, John M. Roberts, on a blind date at a Pirates game. They were married for 63 years and raised four children. Mr. Roberts died about five years ago at age 91.
In addition to her two sons, Mrs. Roberts is survived by another son, Loughrey Henderson Roberts of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a daughter, Alexandria Roberts Daubert of Lincoln, Neb.; eight grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren.
Viewing will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the home of Richard and Sandy Roberts, 525 Academy Ave., Sewickley. All are welcome. Services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sewickley Presbyterian Church, 414 Grant St., Sewickley. Interment services will be at noon at Sewickley Cemetery, 501 Hopkins St., Sewickley.
Following the burial, all are welcome to a celebratory gathering at 1 p.m. at the Allegheny Country Club, 250 Country Club Road. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributors to consider a donation to Tuition Mission Foundation, Box 458, East Liverpool, OH 43920 or TuitionMissionFoundation.com. Copeland Funeral Home of Sewickley handled arrangements.