Edith Roberts, Long-time Pasadena Symphony Supporter, dies at age 91
This is not an obituary notice. This is a personal note to the friends and family of Edith M. Roberts and supporters of the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra who will long remember the dear and loving woman who passed away a week ago at age 91. The Pasadena Symphony and many other organizations will miss her lovely demeanor and her easy ability to make friends and, humbly, raise funds.
I met Edith when I served on the Board of the Pasadena Symphony Association. It was the mid-1980′s when the Symphony announced publically that it was on the brink of bankruptcy. Daniel Lewis announced his departure as conductor. The folding of the symphony orchestra was more than hinted at, it seemed certain.
John D. Tarr, Robert Ziegler and others who had a long history as supporters of the orchestra reached out to all segments of the community to assist in bolstering the financial woes of the organization and to provide a solid base for the new conductor the group hired, Jorge Mester.
A new and fiery board—many of whom are still serving the interests of the Pasadena Symphony Association—came into being with a youthful zest and flamboyance not usually associated with the arts in Pasadena. Edith Roberts was among the “new” board members. If my memory serves correctly, Edith had been a successful businesswoman, though I don’t remember the field. In any event, she had the smooth technique and knowldge of how to engage people in the positive aspects that the community would derive by breathing new life into the Pasadena Symphony. With her easy smile and vivacious temperament, resistance would melt away before her. Edith’s technique was to be kindly and persuasive.
Many in the fund-raising field say only a donor can be successful in seeking donations from others. If that is true, Edith and her husband Jack set the path to successful fund-raising through their personal generosity. As a couple, Jack and Edith were contributors to many arts and other programs in the San Gabriel Valley and very generous to Caltech, where Dr. Roberts served as Chairman of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Dean of the Faculty and Professor Emeritus. The Roberts’ donated their Altadena home to fund the Edith M. Roberts and John D. Roberts Endowment for Undergraduate Research in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Caltech.
The Roberts’ generosity continues. Jack indicates that a contribution in Edith’s memory to the Pasadena Symphony Edith Roberts Endowment Fund would be an appropriate gesture. Edith would insist on it—politely.
By Bill Peters
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