Gloria "Mamo" Marie Roberson

A bright star has winked out in our Wenatchee Valley as Gloria “Mamo” Marie (Piper) Roberson's sweet spirit took leave at the age of 93 on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in her home of 54 years. She was accompanied in her final days by the love, support, and memories of her family and close friends. Gloria was born and raised in the avocado groves of Whittier, CA, spending summers between her father’s family ranch in Flagstaff, AZ, and her mother’s childhood home in Chicago, IL. Even from a young age, Gloria celebrated life. She has always been a performer and storyteller. Gloria began dance lessons at a young age and continued through adolescence. Her talents were quickly discovered, and she was frequently invited to perform tap in vaudeville shows in Hollywood. Gloria and Don Edgar Roberson met in 1950 when they were barely 18. Their fast attachment was mutual, and they eloped soon after. However, the mothers of both Gloria and Don demanded a proper ceremony, and they wed “again” in AZ with family and friends in attendance. Not long after marrying, their first child, Becci, was born in 1952. Gloria and Don continued to grow their family with three more children: Jill, born in 1954, Tracy, born in 1957, and Michael “Chip”, born in 1959. The children recall Gloria as a force in constant movement. She was a gardener, farmer, maker, mender, birder, writer, poet, explorer, and creator. Gloria had an inspirational vivacity for life, love, and joy that she invited all in her proximity to join. In 1972, when their youngest was 13, the family moved to Wenatchee and landed on Pearl Street where they would remain until both Don and Gloria’s passing. It was in Wenatchee, after the children had graduated, that Gloria stepped into more passion-driven services, including involvement with The Audubon Society, tracking bird populations in the area; the Friends of the Library, serving on their board, and; The First United Methodist Church, singing in their choir and playing bells in their ensemble. Gloria’s love for the Church, and the community within, grew. You could find her every Sunday either signing songs or performing plays on stage, or dancing to the music in the back. In 1980, the first grandchild was born, and the name Mamo was coined and took root deep within us all. It was her grandchildren who led Mamo to start reading at elementary schools throughout the valley. Every week, she would visit a different school, having selected the perfect children's book to share messages of love, kindness, gratitude, and joy. This surpassed all of her grandchildren, and she continued reading for almost three decades. In her later years, it was not unusual, when out and about with Mamo, to be approached by grown-ups whom she once read to as a child. They would approach with great grins and introduce themselves. Mamo would often respond, “Of course, I remember you; you were one of my favorites!” Which was the truth, as every student held Mamo’s favor. Mamo was a woman who always said “Yes!” When asked to lead storytelling at the Salmon Festival in Leavenworth, she said “Of course!” and did so for almost 20 years. When solicited by the Wenatchee Museum to write a book on the famous Pangborn flight, she said, “I’d love to!” and again to write and direct the annual People of the Past performance, she said, “I accept!” Mamo kept young, even into her 90s, by exercising her inner child, nurturing creativity and celebration in both herself and others, and remaining a lifelong learner. Mamo frequented writing classes offered by acclaimed poet, teacher, and naturalist Derek Sheffield at the Wenatchee Valley College. Although Mamo took the same few courses countless times, it was her lust for words, imagination, and the beauty of life that delivered each experience anew. Mamo was an agent of goodwill, whose life stretched out in myriad ways and means. For Mamo’s community of family, friends, and all whose hearts she marked, she will remain imperishable. It was this community, in turn, that rooted within the very core of her being. Mamo has been reunited with her loving husband, Don Roberson (d. 2013). She is survived by her children, Becci (Steve d. 2023) McCormick, Jill Roberson, Tracy Faulkner (Glen Carlson), and Michael “Chip” (Janet) Roberson; grandchildren, Piper McCormick (Juan Corona), Kellee McCormick, Whitney Faulkner, and Hannah Faulkner (Marshall Atwood), Micah (Kate) Roberson, and Brittany Roberson, and; great-grandchildren, Giovanni, Lyric and Mia McCormick, Kesley and Xander Robbins, Bodie and Piper Roberson, and Lewis Faulkner. A celebration of Gloria’s love and life will take place during a memorial service at 1 p.m. on July 20, 2026, her 94th birthday, at her beloved First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee. With great thanks, we give Advanced Hospice Northwest and their staff much-deserved humbled love. In place of flowers, please donate to the Chelan County Land Trust or to the First United Methodist Church, both of which filled her spiritual self in leaps and bounds.

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Gloria "Mamo" Marie Roberson

July 20, 1932 - July 7, 2026