Roberta Jean Martin passed peacefully with family at her side Monday, August 19, 2024 after an extended illness. Roberta was born in Seattle, Washington on October 5,1935, to father Orvin and mother Myrtie (Lewis) Ryan. Roberta's parents were educators and Roberta lived in many cities in Washington during her formative years, from Bow, Washington, to Quincy, to Oak Harbor. Most of her school years were in Bellingham. She was a proud member of the Bellingham High School class of 1953. She attended Western Washington State College.

She married Don Martin on June 11,1955 and moved to Anacortes where Don, after discharging from the Navy, had just started his career at Shell Oil Refinery. Roberta was an active member of the Anacortes community for her entire adult life. She raised two wonderful children, Michele Martin, of Everett Washington and Jeffrey Martin.

She worked in various businesses in Anacortes before starting her career at Safeway, proudly having helped open the store that is at 12th and Commercial.  Roberta was known for her smile and generous spirit, greeting many in the community.  To this day there are many that remember Roberta from those days.

Roberta was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a lifetime member of Madrona Chapter #89 of the Order of Eastern Star in Anacortes and active in both throughout the years. Roberta enjoyed her Bowling Team and for many years the highlight was the annual trip to State.  Roberta was an accomplished cook and she delighted family and friends with her many wonderful meals. She was loved by one and all for her positive nature, her generosity of spirit, her fun-loving nature and her dedication to her family and friends.  Roberta was also well known for her knitting skills. She completed many beautiful sweaters and blankets and delighted her friends with her knitted dishcloths. Roberta enjoyed her piano, delighting many with spontaneous performances and loved playing side by side with her favorite kids and her sisters.

In her retirement years she and Don traveled the world. They took a round the world cruise with their dear friends from Canada and they welcomed the Millennium from Santigo, Chilie. They visited 33 countries and highlights include the pyramids in Egypt, the shores of Australia, the sandy beaches of Bora Bora, and went on safari in Africa. They also traveled extensively throughout the US in their travel trailer, making lifelong friends along the way. That prompted more trips to Australia and New Zealand.  Roberta's true passion was spending time at their cabin on Cypress Island in Strawberry Bay.  Roberta was an extra Mom to her Beach Kids. And the Best Auntie.  It is only recently that she wasn't able to get out to the Cabin.  Before the Cabin, Roberta and Don with Michele and Jeff took many trips in the San Juan and Gulf Islands.   She frequently hosted her family and friends at the cabin and delighted them with fresh salmon and crab dinners, took them hiking to the lake, played croquet with them on the tide flats and hosted dancing on the deck.

Sadly, Roberta and Don's son, Jeffrey, who crewed for the Altair, preceded her in death on February 14, 1983, when the "A Boats" were lost in the Bering Sea. Not a day went by that she did not think of Jeffrey.

Roberta is survived by her husband of 69 years, Don Martin, her daughter Michele Martin of Everett, Washington, her sister Carolle Ryan of Kent, her sister Patricia Ryan Arthaud (Steve) of Hood Canal, Washington, her sister-in-law Bev Mastor of Bellingham. She is also survived by her nieces, Annemarie Smith Horn, Aimee Smith Avery, Jonnel Arthaud Bowser, Patti  Simonsen, and nephews Jack Ryan Arthaud, Mike Bergeron and numerous great nieces and nephews, and cousins, Bill Lewis, Scott Hopman, Wayne Hopman and Irene Hopman. There are many more cousins and family from Washington, Minnesota, Iowa, who all will miss her greatly. She is also survived by dear friends in Anacortes, from the Family Group (Bells, Kohlers, Langs, Gildens,  Guthries and Parkers) that started with her Sorority Sisters, to friendships built over 49 years at Cypress Island and friends from school and Canada.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son Jeffrey Scott Martin. Her baby sister Pamela Ray Ryan died as an infant in Bellingham, Washington at the age of 15 months. Her beloved cousin Jack Lewis passed in 2022 and Roberta was able to attend his interment in 2023, gathering with his family and cousins from Bellingham.

Please join us for a celebration of Roberta's life at the Anacortes Lutheran Church August 31st at 12:00 noon, with a reception immediately following.  A private internment will take place following the service. Memorials in Roberta's name may be made to the Anacortes School Foundation and or to Hospice of Northwest Foundation . To share memories of Roberta please visit, www.evanschapel.com/obituary/roberta-martin