Elyse Marie Roberts

Elyse Marie Roberts

July 11, 1954 – December 21, 2017

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Elyse Marie Roberts, 63, of North Bend, will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at North Bend Chapel, 2014 McPherson Avenue, with pastor Don Berney officiating. A reception will follow at Black Market Gourmet, 495 Central Avenue in Coos Bay.

Elyse was born on July 11, 1954 in Torrance, California to William “Bill” Lloyd Roberts and Betty Lou ( Hendrickson ) Roberts. She passed away peacefully on December 21, 2017 in Gresham, Oregon.

Elyse and her family moved to North Bend in 1963, and it became the place she would call home for most of her life. After graduating from North Bend High School, class of 1972, Elyse briefly attended Southern Oregon State College in Ashland before going on to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from Lane Community College in Eugene. Early in her career, she also earned national certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse, which she maintained the remainder of her career. For those familiar with her compassionate and motherly personality, a career in the medical field was a wonderful fit for Elyse.

After graduation in 1975, Elyse moved back to North Bend to work at Bay Area Hospital, where she met Douglas Lee Davison. The pair were married in December 1977, and in October 1978 they welcomed their only daughter, India, to the world. In 1979, the family moved to Cookeville, Tennessee, where they lived until the couple divorced in 1981.

Elyse and India then moved to Wenatchee, Washington, where Elyse worked at Central Washington Hospital in the Critical Care Unit. Mother and daughter moved back to North Bend in 1982 so that they could be closer to Elyse’s family. After returning to Bay Area Hospital that year, she became an invaluable fixture in the Intensive Care Unit for the remainder of her career, until her official retirement in 2013. She also worked in a part-time capacity at Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport, and occasionally at a local community Dialysis center.

Elyse moved to Gresham in 2014 to be closer to India. Over the past few years she often spent time between Gresham and her home in North Bend.

The center of Elyse’s universe was comprised of three elements: her daughter, India, her pets, and helping others. If you knew Elyse, you knew of the special relationship she had with India. She loved more than anything spending time with her. India was her “greatest accomplishment” according to Elyse, and certainly her greatest joy. The two shared a bond like no other. As a single mother, Elyse instilled strong feminist values in her daughter that she exemplified herself, as well as a foundation of independence, strength, humor and spunk. Elyse was always proud of India.

To say Elyse loved animals would be an understatement. She always had at least a dog or two running around the house. All of her pets brought her genuine joy. “Who rescued who?” she could often be heard saying of her most current and beloved rescue dog, Ginger.

Elyse also found purpose in helping others find happiness. Whether it was providing a home cooked meal, a roof over a head, or just lending an ear, she loved being there for those around her and she was a true support system to many.

Elyse enjoyed a variety of hobbies throughout her life, including entertaining, cooking, drawing sketch art, singing, reading, doing expert crossword puzzles in pen, listening to music, finding good deals ( ‘Never Pay Retail Roberts” ), and traveling, especially to the Cayman Islands. In recent years, she found pleasure in connecting with loved ones via social media.

Elyse is survived by her daughter, India Roberts of Portland; sister, Linda Walsh of Beaverton; nephew, Glenn Walsh , his wife Kristin, and their children, Sophie, Kate, and Ryan, all of Allen, TX; nephew, Brent Walsh of Redmond; her beloved dog, Ginger; numerous cousins and extended family; and countless friends.

Elyse was preceded in death by her parents, Betty in 2006, and Bill in 2013.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Coos County Animal Shelter, Family Dogs New Life, or the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society. Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com and www.theworldlink.com. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

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