Obituary for Roberta Mae Stephen (Dawes)
Roberta Mae Stephen (nee Dawes)
Roberta Mae Stephen—lifelong Albertan, wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as well-known musician, composer, teacher, singer, and ardent promoter of contemporary Canadian music—passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Carewest Royal Park.
Born in Calgary on April 17, 1931, Roberta grew up on a farm in Herronton, Alberta. She loved to ride horses and work outside on the farm, especially labouring as a "hired hand" for her father. Roberta even tried her hand at sheep shearing. An annual highlight during her childhood was the cattle drive from the farm to Kew (in Kananaskis). Her love of rural life continued even as an adult as she participated with her husband and children in hayrides, trail rides and pack trips to the mountains.
At 16, Roberta moved to Calgary to attend Central High School, after which she received a teaching certificate from University of Alberta (Calgary Campus). It was while Roberta was teaching in Edmonton in 1952 that she met Charlie at a United Church Young Peoples group. Later, when Roberta observed the way Charlie interacted with children, she knew Charlie was the one for her!
Although Roberta’s musical training began early, it was only after the births of her four children that she began pursuing her music career in earnest. She began with voice lessons with Eileen Higgin, soon discovering a passion for music composition. She received her Music Composition degree from the University of Calgary in 1973. Later, she pursued an MA in Voice Concentration from the University of North Texas, graduating in 1988.
Throughout her university education she maintained a successful private music studio. She continued to teach students into her 80’s – some of whom were second generation students. Many went on to successful careers as performers and teachers. As part of the celebrations of Alberta’s 75th Birthday, Roberta formed a partnership of music colleagues, receiving a grant in 1980 to publish a book of piano pieces by Alberta composers. This publication was the precursor to the Alberta Keys Music Publishing Company, which continued publishing until the company was sold in 2014.
Roberta will be remembered for being instrumental in establishing the first chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Canada and founder of the Contemporary Showcase Festival Calgary, as well as being a major supporter of New Works Calgary. She received three lifetime achievement awards from the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (2014), the Association of Canadian Women Composers (2019), and the Canadian Music Centre (2019). In 2002, the Prairie Region of the Canadian Music Centre celebrated her music career, recognizing also her efforts to promote the work of other Canadian composers. In 2014, the Canadian Music Centre in conjunction with NATS and ARMTA (Calgary Chapters) held a tribute to Roberta, featuring several of her compositions. Following this concert, the first music scholarship was established in her name.
Roberta is survived by her husband of almost 66 years, Charlie Williamson Stephen, her children, Barbara de Bruyn (Eric), Heather Bergen (David), John Stephen (Lorna), and Cathy Stephen, grandchildren, Cheryl Bergen (Eric Estor), Rachel Bergen (Jason Pollock), Hayley Stephen (Andrew Dil), Marla Stephen and Brett Stephen, her great grandson, Edison Estor, and her brother, Andrew (Isabel). Roberta is predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Lena Mae, her sister, Marylou, and sister in-law, Karen. Not included here are many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and friends who remember Roberta and were remembered by her.
A private family service will be held, with a public Memorial Celebration of Life planned for a future date.
The Stephen family sincerely wish to thank all those at Carewest Royal Park who so lovingly took care of Roberta until the very end. Words cannot express the family's gratitude for the unwavering kindness of the staff during her stay.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roberta’s memory to:
Parkinson Association of Alberta
#120, 6835 Railway St. SE
Calgary, Alberta T2H 2V6
OR
Association of Canadian Women Composers
RE: Roberta Stephen Scholarship
c/o ACWC/ACC Treasurer
51 John Street W
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 1B3
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Roberta, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
Roberta Mae Stephen—lifelong Albertan, wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as well-known musician, composer, teacher, singer, and ardent promoter of contemporary Canadian music—passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Carewest Royal Park.
Born in Calgary on April 17, 1931, Roberta grew up on a farm in Herronton, Alberta. She loved to ride horses and work outside on the farm, especially labouring as a "hired hand" for her father. Roberta even tried her hand at sheep shearing. An annual highlight during her childhood was the cattle drive from the farm to Kew (in Kananaskis). Her love of rural life continued even as an adult as she participated with her husband and children in hayrides, trail rides and pack trips to the mountains.
At 16, Roberta moved to Calgary to attend Central High School, after which she received a teaching certificate from University of Alberta (Calgary Campus). It was while Roberta was teaching in Edmonton in 1952 that she met Charlie at a United Church Young Peoples group. Later, when Roberta observed the way Charlie interacted with children, she knew Charlie was the one for her!
Although Roberta’s musical training began early, it was only after the births of her four children that she began pursuing her music career in earnest. She began with voice lessons with Eileen Higgin, soon discovering a passion for music composition. She received her Music Composition degree from the University of Calgary in 1973. Later, she pursued an MA in Voice Concentration from the University of North Texas, graduating in 1988.
Throughout her university education she maintained a successful private music studio. She continued to teach students into her 80’s – some of whom were second generation students. Many went on to successful careers as performers and teachers. As part of the celebrations of Alberta’s 75th Birthday, Roberta formed a partnership of music colleagues, receiving a grant in 1980 to publish a book of piano pieces by Alberta composers. This publication was the precursor to the Alberta Keys Music Publishing Company, which continued publishing until the company was sold in 2014.
Roberta will be remembered for being instrumental in establishing the first chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in Canada and founder of the Contemporary Showcase Festival Calgary, as well as being a major supporter of New Works Calgary. She received three lifetime achievement awards from the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (2014), the Association of Canadian Women Composers (2019), and the Canadian Music Centre (2019). In 2002, the Prairie Region of the Canadian Music Centre celebrated her music career, recognizing also her efforts to promote the work of other Canadian composers. In 2014, the Canadian Music Centre in conjunction with NATS and ARMTA (Calgary Chapters) held a tribute to Roberta, featuring several of her compositions. Following this concert, the first music scholarship was established in her name.
Roberta is survived by her husband of almost 66 years, Charlie Williamson Stephen, her children, Barbara de Bruyn (Eric), Heather Bergen (David), John Stephen (Lorna), and Cathy Stephen, grandchildren, Cheryl Bergen (Eric Estor), Rachel Bergen (Jason Pollock), Hayley Stephen (Andrew Dil), Marla Stephen and Brett Stephen, her great grandson, Edison Estor, and her brother, Andrew (Isabel). Roberta is predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Lena Mae, her sister, Marylou, and sister in-law, Karen. Not included here are many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and friends who remember Roberta and were remembered by her.
A private family service will be held, with a public Memorial Celebration of Life planned for a future date.
The Stephen family sincerely wish to thank all those at Carewest Royal Park who so lovingly took care of Roberta until the very end. Words cannot express the family's gratitude for the unwavering kindness of the staff during her stay.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roberta’s memory to:
Parkinson Association of Alberta
#120, 6835 Railway St. SE
Calgary, Alberta T2H 2V6
OR
Association of Canadian Women Composers
RE: Roberta Stephen Scholarship
c/o ACWC/ACC Treasurer
51 John Street W
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 1B3
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Roberta, please visit www.choicememorial.com.