We are gathered here to honor Roberta Pitts and to encourage Don, her husband of forty four years, her son, Tom, daughter in law, Irina and grandson Farrukh, as well as, Roberta's brother, Karl, and sisters: Jackie, Jan and Lois.

Those of us gathered today are like a family. This family is not limited to the physical confines of the Stehekin Valley but is far more expansive. We share a common sense of heartfelt love for Roberta and her family, Bill Stifter and his family and for one another.

…
Most of the community was gathered at school two Saturday's ago when the news reached us. Those with capability to assist headed for the landing. The rest stayed at school to pray, to talk quietly, or listen to updates passed over the radio. Inside the school, Patty Wilsey played the piano. She played songs of worship. The songs she played helped comfort the soul. At that time, I could only pray that God had not given us more tribulation than we could bear.

The children and I met on Monday morning at school. When the day began, I acknowledged we had just experienced the most traumatic event the community had collectively endured during my tenure in the valley. I then talked to them about how we might conduct ourselves in light of the weekend's events.

I told the children that we needed to ask, "How would Roberta want us to act? We talked about just how much Roberta enjoyed seeing them do their best and how much she appreciated seeing them create, perform and treat one another well. Again I asked, "What would Roberta want us to do?" Quite simply, the answer was, we could only continue to do our best. She loves it when we do our best. This is what we tried to do throughout the week.

We were aided in this pursuit by the presence of Farrukh in school last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The young children always play in the motion room before school starts in the morning. Farrukh arrived early. He rode his bike with the other boys. Not long after he arrived, he sat down at the piano and played the opening bars of "Ode to Joy." My goodness did my heart move when I heard that. It seemed perfect. Farrukh also led the other children up to the costume closet and in short order most were wearing wigs and outfits we have used in class plays or the Autumn Festival. It was a blessing having Farrukh with us last week. Seeing him happy and knowing he wanted to be with us helped us feel that we were doing something Roberta would want us to do.

These were the events of the last week. To begin speaking of Roberta directly, I am going to go back 32 years to a Friday afternoon when I first met Roberta and Don.

Roberta, Don, and I met at the end of my first week teaching in Stehekin in September of 1976. Don and Roberta had built their cabin, retired from other teaching positions and come to live in Stehekin with their son, Tom.

Tom was a third grader in my first class of nine students. Because Tom had defined himself so clearly as a "willfully challenging" student, I felt I had to go and talk with Roberta and Don at the end of the first week of school. Tom had made a deep impression on me during his first days in school and I wanted some dialogue with his parents before I was tempted to make a deep impression on him.

Kim and I lived near Wally Winkel's at that point in time and the Pitts cabin was just across the slough from Wally's. I remember heading to their cabin wondering just how the news of Tom's classroom behavior would be received.

What I discovered talking to Roberta and Don was they were thankful for my efforts to communicate with them and confront Tom's challenging behavior so early in the school year. They gave me their support. That afternoon we set the foundation stones of our thirty-two year relationship. I returned home relieved and ready to see great things from young Tom.

For the next six years, Roberta, Don and I worked assiduously to educate Tom. The result of our work can be gauged by an event that occurred near the end of his 8th grade year. Karl Gaskill's sister visited Stehekin to present Renaissance Music to the class. She was with us for the better part of a week and the culmination of her work with the students was to be a presentation of Renaissance music at the Community Hall.

We were gathered at the Community Hall ready to perform but when show time arrived, Tom was not present. Where was this elusive young man? We decided we had to begin the program and did so without Tom. I went to the Pitts home again that evening after the performance to find out what had happened. Roberta, Don and I sat on chairs beneath their cherry tree and talked. I found out that Tom had disappeared in the woods at home just before they were ready to get in the car to leave for the program.

When it was time to go, Tom could not be found. He did not emerge from the woods until enough time had passed that he was sure the program would be well under way. Our effort to communicate with Tom seemed all for naught. Six years of work seemed to have no effect upon this willful young man.

Tom went on to high school in Manson and later to college. Roberta admitted one time that she and Don were still blaming Tom for missing or broken items around the house for at least a year after he left home for college. I'm sure they're not the only parents who have experienced this phenomenon.

At times it seemed our work was for naught … however … a grand surprise awaited us. In the Liberty of his development, Tom has expressed his love for his parents in every practical and compassionate manner a person could ask. On many occasions he has helped them before they even knew they needed help. He has kept himself apprised of their needs. As an adult, he has treated Roberta and Don in an exceptionally warm and loving manner. He has treated me kindly as well. We are friends.

Why take this time to talk about Tom?
Roberta, Don and I forged our friendship during Tom's early years.
We learned from him.
We learned: As long as you work with young people, never stop asking for spiritual intervention - we learned to never loose hope - we learned never give up on any child because, when you might least expect it, change can occur.

Roberta, Don and I began working together thirty-two years ago. We know one another well and it is Tom who brought us together.

This year the wheel turned full circle when Tom and Irina enrolled Farrukh in the Stehekin School for the first semester. While they were settling in Budapest where Tom works in the American Embassy, Farrukh stayed with Roberta and Don and was a student from September to Christmas. Roberta's love and pride for her grandson was tangible. She delighted in spending time with Farrukh.
....
Roberta also enjoyed the company of her own siblings: Karl, Jackie, Jan and Lois. She would visit them and they would come to Stehekin for extended visits. The sisters would gather together and complete projects as they shared news of their lives. As far as I could tell, they were rarely idle and they were most often laughing together. It was a pleasure to behold seeing these dynamic women travel through the valley visiting and enjoying one another's company. And Don? He was ultimately patient during these visits and did his best to keep up with "the girls." Roberta was refreshed in the company of her sisters.

Roberta was refreshed as well when visiting brother Karl and his wife. She truly enjoyed attending church services with them and would tell me about her worship when she returned to the valley. Roberta found joy being with her sisters and brother. She loved being in the presence of her family.

Those of you who have visited Roberta and Don's home, garden and grounds are aware that they built something together that is a beauty to behold.

On the day before school begins each year, I travel to valley gardens with the children to collect First Day Flowers. On the first day of school, bright bouquets greet 1st and 8th graders and new students.

Usually, one of our stops was the Pitts garden. Arriving at the Pitt's, I would always find myself in a state of awe. How was it possible I wondered that these two people could produce such inspiring abundance and beauty while they were doing so many other tasks in the community? Their home and garden is a place of beauty.

Don and Roberta did not move onto property already abundant with soil. They moved onto property scoured by the flood of 1948. It is almost unbelievable to see how their homestead has changed over the past thirty-two years. Don literally built soil out of maple leaves and sand all after arriving home from his 8 to 4:30 post office duties. Don operated a mill that cut the lumber for their outbuildings and for neighbors. In a land of granite and river rock, Don and Roberta built their home, outbuildings and shop. They cultivated their fruit trees, raised chickens and hogs and produced a spectacular garden each year.

Roberta and Don were gracious when visitors stopped by. They would sit on the porch and talk and take the time to make you feel at home. As you sat looking out on their lawn and outbuildings, you could not help but recognize that you were in the presence of extraordinary people; people who transformed the earth making something productive and beautiful.

The energy required maintaining their home, garden and rental cabin would be enough work for most people but Roberta had the energy to do even more. Much more.

There will be a publication coming out in the near future that includes a picture of Stehekin residents standing on the porch of the old school. Looking at that picture this weekend, I was struck by the fact that Roberta and Don are standing smack dab in the middle of the group. This, in retrospect, is exactly as it should be. Those who know Roberta know she did stand smack dab in the middle of community life. Those of you who are not entirely aware of her influence on our lives will better understand when you realize that:
Roberta was the secretary-treasurer for the Stehekin Church.
Roberta was a board member and treasurer of the Stehekin Heritage organization.
Roberta was the craft shop treasurer.
Roberta kept the books for several valley businesses.
Roberta was Stehekin School's clerk and superintendent for almost thirty-two years.
Each of these duties required fiscal and administrative responsibilities that were enormous.

This past Saturday afternoon I talked with Don and Tom. Don spoke of Roberta's intelligence, capability and drive. He spoke of how she was the treasurer of her student body at Central Washington University and responsible for million dollar budgets. Don knew that, with her talents, she could have been hired anywhere in America, however, Roberta's desire was to live in Stehekin. She did not want to be anywhere else. She was happy in the valley.

Roberta had a strong sense of political self-determination
Throughout her Stehekin sojourn Roberta exhibited a supreme sense of personal liberty and self-determination. These attributes accentuated Roberta's political, social and spiritual consciousness.

There was a time in Stehekin's more recent history when those who had little understanding of the essential value of community life contemplated actions that threatened the existence of the Stehekin Community. Roberta was at the forefront of all political efforts to maintain a healthy community life in the valley. The results of her labor can be recognized today. Those who might have disagreed with Roberta's political perspective probably thought of her as an aggressive political activist. Those who shared her passion for independent living considered her - Lady Liberty.

Roberta had an enormous influence on Stehekin's educational program.
This year the new Stehekin School celebrates its 20th anniversary of operation. We might not be educating children in the new school if it had not been for Roberta's steadfast diligence to work with elected officials, National Park Service administrators and the community to purchase property from the NPS to build a new school.

I was with Roberta when we visited the regional office of the NPS in Seattle more than twenty years ago to meet with regional director, Charles Odegaard. Mr. Odegaard informed us that the NPS was, "Never going to sell land to the school district," and that this was one battle we were not going to win. As it turned out, Mr. Odegaard had to change his mind and we have a new school today. Such was the power of Roberta's perseverance.

Guardians at the Gate
Over thirty-two years, our professional friendship was forged providing developmentally appropriate educational activity for young people of the valley. I think of Roberta as a guardian at the gate who protected the right of children to be children.

Every social, political or spiritual organism requires the presence of guardians at the gate; those people who vigorously defend the health and vitality of the organism. Roberta was a guardian at the gate who enabled the Stehekin School program to flourish as it has. Guardians at the gate often have to make the tough decisions and engage in difficult battles. Roberta Pitts was an indefatigable warrior in service to defending the organic needs of childhood. Roberta protected the district from the constriction of bureaucratic mandates that can paralyze. She was, all in all, a guardian at the gate who made my job appear easy. I will always be thankful for her steadfast support of developmentally appropriate education.

Roberta was a dear friend and compatriot in the quest to bring the best we could to the children of the valley. We engaged in many campaigns together. Whether it was working politically to establish the right of the Stehekin community to exist, to build a new school on property owned by Stehekin School District or to provide children with developmentally appropriate activity needed to realize their potential, Roberta was at the forefront of the effort. She recognized that which was good and defended it with tenacity.

Roberta's work with the children:

Roberta had an elbow to elbow, heart to heart relationship with the children. Each year she worked with students teaching them how to knit and embroider. She took over this work after Esther Courtney knit with our students and knit quilts for John Wilsey and Karl Fellow's graduation many years ago.

It is almost impossible to describe the enthusiasm students experience while working with their hands to create knit hats, recorder holders, scarves, belts and slippers. The classroom is a happy place as their hands are busy creating these practical items. "Roberta, can you help me? I think I dropped a stitch," a student exclaims. Roberta would patiently bend over the student or sit by their side and, with deft hand, miraculously manipulate the fiber so that gaping holes would disappear. "Do I use a pearl stitch now?" another would call. And then, with the sound of success filling their voice, one student after another would announce proudly, "Roberta, I think my hat is finished."

The same exuberance witnessed when students knit can be recognized when students are completing embroidery projects. Each student embroiders quilt squares for graduating 8th graders who have attended school for at least four years. Students design a quilt square for the graduating student(s), embroider the square and then wait expectantly while Roberta put them all together into a glorious quilt to be presented at graduation. It is a thrill for all of them when the quilt is unfurled. Roberta shepherded us through these projects each year and did so with an abundance of good will and a warm soul.

Roberta taught our Readiness (kindergarten) students for many years and children under her caring tutelage remember the projects she did with them and the warmth she offered. She substituted in school when I traveled out of the valley and enthusiastically assisted students finding hiding spots so that I would have to search for them in a hide-and-go-seek manner upon my return. Returning from each trip, I brought Roberta flowers in appreciation for her work with the students. Roberta knew the program, knew the children and thoroughly enjoyed her time in the classroom. Throughout her tenure, she developed a warm positive relationships with the children.

Roberta and Don enjoyed school programs. They attended every one when they were in the valley. What a joy it was seeing their eyes filled with appreciation for what the children were doing. I remember seeing Roberta and Don sitting in the front row when the school was producing "The Christmas Carol" two years ago. Near the end of the play, Quin, as Scrooge, was delivering his last lines. While he spoke, his wool sideburns kept coming loose and dangling from his face. He kept trying to recite his lines while patting the errant sideburns back into place. Roberta and Don could not contain their mirth. Their eyes were bright and their giggling was contagious. What a pleasure to watch their shoulders shake with glee as they tried to contain themselves. It was moments like this that she loved. Roberta was filled with joy seeing the children perform and they loved the enthusiasm she offered from her seat in the audience.

It should be obvious just how much of an impact Roberta has bequeathed the Stehekin Community and our children She was strong and resolute; she was warm and loving.
…
Roberta had recently reached a stage in her life where significant changes were affecting her capability to do as much as she might have liked. She was in the process of relinquishing some of her responsibilities. This was her last year producing the Stehekin Guidebook and this was her last year to be the craft shop treasurer. The process of closure had begun. Roberta was going to continue as Church treasurer, Stehekin Heritage treasurer, and the district superintendent. She wanted to continue serving the church and spiritual life, political causes she believed in, and her relationship with the children.

The last week I spent with Roberta was a very good one. We bantered with each other as old friends. We talked about graduation, an upcoming field trip and the children. We discussed upcoming school projects. She was able to hear the children practicing the marimba pieces they will play at graduation. She was always complimentary of their skill. Roberta recognized what was important in the lives of young people. She supported their efforts.

I will be eternally thankful that the time we spent together during the week was filled with laughter and good will. She seemed to exude a brightness and levity that I found extraordinary. Looking back, I cannot help but wonder if her Spirit knew of the journey she was about to take.

I spoke with Jarred Stafford this past weekend. Just before he departed he said, "… it makes me feel like hugging people and telling them, I love you." This may initially sound like a strange thing to say, but I think we have all felt something like this during the past week.

The feeling I have had since the passage of Roberta and Bill Stifter is that we are the beneficiaries of a soft shower of love raining down on us. Even though we feel raw, tossed and bruised, there is a healing shower of love available to us all.

Are there any of us who have not loved another more fully since last weekend. Are there any of us who have not had more meaningful conversations with friends, relatives and acquaintances. Have we not all become abruptly aware that each and every encounter we have with people is important? Have we not all recognized it is essential that we love one another each and every moment of each and every day? Haven't we all felt like hugging someone and saying, "I love you." Has there not been a shower of soft love that has fallen upon us all.

The physical sphere in which we are granted earthly life is transient but filled with God's grace. If we are able to look towards the glories we have been granted, our hearts will heal. Our goal should be to love one another. We must look at the example Roberta, Don, Tom, Irina, and Farrukh have set and know that, like a soft rain that brings life to the garden, a soft shower of God's love is falling on us all.

Roberta, I will miss you but am full of thanks for what you have shared and accomplished. You are a dear friend and compatriot. Roberta, thank you for the gifts of love you shared with us all. "Our hearts are walking by your side."