Camilla C. Roberts

Camilla “Cam” (Waldsmith) Roberts passed away on January 16th, 2021 at her residence after a long battle with dementia. Peace and comfort at last.

Camilla was born in Rockford, IL on August 14th 1929, the third daughter born to Clara (Peterson-Lundine) and Cecil Waldsmith. A brother followed to complete the family. By all accounts, she had a wonderful childhood and showed a talent for creating art. After schooling at St. Peters and Muldoon High School, she worked at Camera Craft, learning a love of photography that lasted through her life. Part of a group of friends called the Four Horsemen, she took up roller skating. She had the luck (he told her so) to meet a handsome rascal named Bill Roberts. After he set about improving himself for her, (including joining the Navy) they were married on July 26th 1952 and headed to Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland. Daughter # one arrived, then they moved back to Rockford where daughter # two, son #one and daughter # three joined the fun.

During those years, Cam was a stay at home mom, teaching her children a love of reading, art, poetry and seeing beauty all around them. She was a great Girl Scout Leader of a diverse troop with girls of different colors, religions, ethnic and financial backgrounds. All were loved equally.

Through Girl Scouting, Cam met Joan Casserotto and together they dove into their art lives. They went to Rock Valley College to take a painting class and ended up in the Art Education program, eventually graduating from NIU Summa Cum Laude. Cam’s work was exhibited many times including Greenwich Village Art Fair, William Tell Fest in New Glarus, WI, and in Rock Island, IL. She was part of a group of women who exhibited at different venues around Rockford until her illness began interfering.

After the kids were out of the nest, Cam worked for many years at Benson Pump and Pools in the Accounting Department. She also took up gardening and always had a beautiful yard with plenty of flowers to paint.

In recent years life became very confusing and scary for Cam. Her family came together to find her a safe home at Rockford Supportive Living/Grand Regency Rockford. Here, she gathered a new group of people to love her. Cam’s family thanks the staff who took such great care of her. You are truly angels to us. Also, thanks to Northern IL Hospice for your assistance.

Cam is survived by her husband, Bill; children, Karen (John) Phillips, Rock Island, IL, Susan Roberts, Albuquerque, NM, William Roberts, Santa Fe, NM, and Julie Roberts (Ashraf Berikkaa), Buellton, CA; grandchildren, Rene’ Estes-Roberts, Australia, Dale Roberts, New Mexico, Michael Phillips, Washington, and Katherine Phillips, Kentucky; sisters, Phyllis Hughes, Delores (Dee) Field, many loved nieces and nephews and special friend, Cindy Brennan. Cam was predeceased by her parents; brother, Robert (Virginia) Waldsmith and brother-in-law, Dexter Field.

And my mother said, “I want you to know I love you”...I’ve given you all my love”. Cam, 1994.

No flowers or plants please. Instead, send a contribution to dementia research, art programs for children, your favorite charity, or plant an Iris in memory of Cam.

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