Maria Roberto

Mass of Christian Burial for Maria Santos Roberto, 82, longtime Ellensburg resident, was celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Ellensburg a reception to followed in the Parish Hall. A Vigil service with recitation of the Rosary was at 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 10 at Steward & Williams Funeral Home. Preceding the Vigil, the family will greet friends at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Roberto passed away on November 29, 2018 in Ellensburg, surrounded by her loving family.

Maria was born on September 13, 1936 in Tamuning, Guam, the middle of nine children born to Miguel & Maria (Rosario) Santos. She grew up in Barrigada, Guam and graduated high school there. She attended college at the University of Guam before starting her career as a recruitment specialist for the Government of Guam. She met Jose Roberto, a Guam Police Officer, and the two were married on June 6, 1958. They made their home in Mangilao and were blessed with three children - Joe, Jeff and Nora. After their children grew up and moved away from Guam to the United States,

Maria and Jose decided to move from the island to be closer to their children. They first moved to Redding, California before choosing Ellensburg as their permanent home in 1990, building a home in the Badger Pocket area where they enjoyed raising goats, chickens and cattle. Maria loved to go to the Snoqualmie Casino and was also an avid card player. She loved her grandchildren and would talk to them daily just to see how they were doing. She also loved to travel and had been around the world several times - traveling with a group that included her sisters and some friends.

Maria is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jose, at the family home in Ellensburg; son Joe (Joyce) Roberto of Federal Way and daughter Nora of San Francisco, California; grandchildren Steven, Marielle and Malayna as well as two brothers and one sister. She was preceded in death by her son, Jeff as well as her parents and five siblings. Maria was a faithful member of the Catholic Church and memorial contributions in her honor are suggested to St. Andrew's Parish, 401 S. Willow in Ellensburg, or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Maria's family. Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com