Roberta Jordan Kilmartin

Roberta Jordan Kilmartin, 86, died Wednesday, August 19, 2009 in Stillwater. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Palmer Marler Funeral Home. Deacon Jim Breazile will officiate. Services are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater.
Roberta was born on October 27, 1922 in Litchfield, IL to Robert Cooper and Kathryn (McClain) Jordan. After completing her education at Browns Business College in Springfield, IL, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked for the British Ministry Supply Mission. She served as secretary to the Director of the Raw Materials Division during WW II. A year and a half later, she enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Womens Reserve (SPARS) and was stationed in Seattle, WA. During this time she took and transcribed all the notes of the hearings on the failure of the Liberty Ships. While stationed in Seattle for 20 months, she also met and married her husband Joseph Patrick Kilmartin of Philadelphia, PA.
They returned to Philadelphia after both being honorably discharged from their respective services. Roberta was employed by the Budd Co., a rail car production company, for 12 years in the manufacturing and engineering department. Following this she took a job with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) where she became the manager and later the Director of member, committees, and customer service department. She retired after 23 years.
In 1985 she moved to Stillwater to be near her daughters family. She resided in Stillwater until the time of her death. She was an active volunteer and devoted a great deal of her time to the Stillwater Medical Center Auxiliary. She started by volunteering in the Snack Bar in 1987 and became manager in 1989. She served as President, Treasurer, Reception Desk Chairman, Computer Chairman, Hospitality Chairman, Parliamentarian and Lifeline Chairman spanning the years 1987 to 2002. She was Auxilian of the Year in 1994. Roberta was also a Charter Member of the Total Rehab Fitness Program.
She was a member of the Stillwater Womans Group, Parkinsons Support Group and a member of the American Legion Post for 14 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, parents, and sisters Joan, Kathryn, and Dorothy and cousin/best friend Mary Singler Twist.
She is survived by her daughter Mary Ellen (Kilmartin) and son-in-law Harold Holley and four grandsons J.J. and Patrick of Stillwater, Ben and Rob of Oklahoma City.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to the Westhaven Nursing and Rehabilitative staff for their caring and care shown to Roberta during the remaining months of her life. Bless you.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stillwater Medical Center Auxillary, PO Box 1934, Stillwater, OK 74074.
Condolences may be sent using our online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com