Roberta E. Marder

Roberta Marder (nee Roberta Ellison), a long time Tulsa resident, died peacefully October 30, 2022. Born November 13,1937 in Peoria, IL, and residing in a small farm town in Lacon, IL which was rich with family history, to Richard Ellison and Helen (Held) Ellison. She moved to Tulsa when she was young, but continued to work summers on the family farm, a near and dear place to all of us still. She often spoke about her and her siblings detasseling corn and staying in Mamo's and Papo's farmhouse. She had 5 siblings, Mary, George, Carol, Cathy and later in life, Michael. She grew up in Midtown near Utica Square on S. St Louis, She graduated from Monte Casino High School and University of Tulsa majoring in Sociology, followed by obtaining her masters from Tulane University. She married in 1962 on Keesler AFB and had two children, Julia and Lisa. They lived in New Orleans, LA, Biloxi, MS & San Francisco, CA before settling in Tulsa. That marriage ended approximately 1976, and at the time she was a stay- at-home mom. She went back to work as a Clinical Social Worker where she struggled to keep her kids in the home we knew. She climbed her way back as one of the strongest women we know. I'm sure her friends and family would say the same. She got a second chance at happiness when she met Daniel Marder. They married approximately 1983, where she became a mom to bonus children, Danya (who was still at home), Mary, and Samantha. She worked to the top of her profession and won multiple awards: Humanitarian of Year, The Marion Jacewitz Award for Individual Service to Children and Families in Oklahoma, and Social Worker of the Year. She served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Committee to Prevent Child Abuse and the March of Dimes, and started one of the first Battered Women's groups all while working full time. She was also a cherished neighborhood Blue Bird Leader as well. She loved her grandchildren so much and enjoyed travels, sleepovers, meals, library and museum visits. She enjoyed multiple overseas travels to England, Scotland, Yugoslavia, France, Italy, Turkey and Schula family vacations to Illinois, Florida, Branson, and family reunions. She survived breast cancer, the death of her beloved husband and covid. She lost her battle to Alzheimer's. As they say it's the "long goodbye". We feel thankful that we believe she still knew her daughters and very thankful to her primary caregiver, Sherry, who brought joy to her every day in her last months. She is survived by her daughters Julia Bird and husband Ilhan Sezer, Lisa Bird Schula and husband Joseph Schula, 3 grandchildren, Natalia (Julia and Ilhan), Jacqueline and Jacob (Lisa and Joseph), bonus granddaughter Megan, and bonus daughters, Samantha, Mary and Danya Marder, her 5 siblings, nieces, nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-parents, grandparents and her husband, Daniel. Memorial Service will be held at St Dunstan's Episcopalian Church. 5635 E 71st St on March 25th at 2:00. Donations can be made in her name to ANewLeaf.org, ParentChildCenter.org or the organization of your choice. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

Roberta E. Marder

November 13, 1937 - October 30, 2022