Joan Kathleen Roberts

Joan K. Roberts Feb. 15, 1940 - Dec. 16, 2013 Resident of Fremont Joan Kathleen Roberts was born to Velma and Roy Stallard in Oakland, CA., the day after Valentine's Day, Feb. 15, 1940, an appropriate date for her, she was loved by everyone who knew her. Her sudden passing on December 16, 2013, left us heartbroken. Joan grew up in Oakland until her eighth year when her parents moved to Donner Lake. She spent the winter of 1952 in Truckee. She moved back to Oakland at age 13 but continued to spend summers at Donner Lake during her high school years. She graduated from San Leandro High School. In 1957 she married Ed Sundwell and had two children, Kathy and Kenny, and then later divorced. In 1974 she married Ricardo Bernardino and together they owned and operated REFCO (Restaurant Equipment Fabrication Co.) in Hayward until 1995. Ricardo (Rick) died in 1998. In 2002 Joan married Bruce Roberts. Joan dedicated her life to her family and helping those she loved, especially as caregiver for Marguerite Stallard. Active at St. James' Episcopal Church in Fremont, she served in many ways: on the Altar Guild, as part of the church's financial ministries , on the John McCutcheon Concert Team and as Endowment Fund Secretary. Joan cooked and served at Abode Services for the temporary homeless. She contributed to many local charities. Joan enjoyed sailing, traveling and listening to soft music. She loved gardening and grew beautiful roses and daffodils. She is survived by her husband Bruce L. Roberts, her daughter Kathy Worthley (Ron), her son Kenny Sundwell, step-daughters Nancy Ohr, Alice Smith, Anna LaVigne (Joe), Robin Roberts and stepmother Marguerite Stallard, brother Roy Jay Stallard, and stepsister Adrienne Flynn; honorary sister Meganne Schrag (Ron), grandchildren Allison McCosker (Patrick), Michael Medeiros, April Cose (Eric), Tarha Genna (Joey), Brett Smith (Laura), Alyise Temores (Manny), Jenna Ohr, Elaina Smith, Andrea LaVigne, Joey LaVigne, Travis Ohr, Cody Sundwell, Kyle Sundwell; great grandchildren Carson Cose, Annalyise Temores, Cade Cose, Marshall McCosker, and Lydia Neilsen and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and two future great grandsons due in April. She was preceded in death by her mother Velma Allison, her stepfather Harry B. Allison, her father Roy Joseph Stallard and her second husband Ricardo Bernardino. Joan was loved by everyone whose life she touched, truly an angel on earth. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Joan's life will start at 11:00am on January 4, 2014, Saturday at St. James' Episcopal Church, 37051 Cabrillo Terrace, Fremont, CA 94536. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers or other memorial gifts, please contribute to St. James' Endowment Fund.