Kathryn Pence Roberts

Remembering Kathryn Pence Roberts

May 5, 1936 - September 28, 2023

We celebrate the life of Kathryn Pence Roberts - teacher, animal lover, volunteer, mother, and friend.

Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Juanita and Joe Pence, Kathryn graduated with honors from Indiana University. She married Keith Roberts and helped support him through dental school. Together for 30 years, they raised three children: Walker Roberts (Leah Painter Roberts), Washington, DC; Beth Cisco (Jim Warner), Indianapolis, IN; and Claire Dougherty (Patrick Dougherty), San Rafael, CA.

During her 25+ years of teaching, Kathryn was highly regarded and won awards for encouraging academic achievement with innovative approaches. Kathryn lifted countless students and touched the lives of individuals through her lifelong commitment to tutoring and mentoring.

As an active volunteer, Kathryn was a supporter of the Indianapolis Symphony, where she especially loved Mozart. She also volunteered at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and most recently, at the Zionsville Library.

You could often find Kathryn resting on the couch reading the paper or playing solitaire after a productive day. She asked a lot of herself and those around her, setting the bar for her children to excel. “Any job worth doing is worth doing well.”

Kathryn had a penchant for interior design, and anyone who walked into her home would comment on her beautiful decor, and appreciate her vast display of original art. She liked to entertain and many of her friends looked forward to her annual Christmas ‘tea’ party.

Kathryn leaves the legacy of a family cabin in Eldora, Colorado, where the next generation will continue to gather and celebrate Kathryn’s generosity and familial connections. She was a devoted Grammy to her 10 grandchildren and enjoyed family holidays.

An avid reader with a ready laugh, Kathryn can best be remembered for her commitment to teaching, her love of animals, especially her beloved dog, Chloe, and for being a caring friend and mother.