Obituary of Thalia "Karleen" Roberts

Thalia "Karleen" Roberts Musician, retired computer programmer/analyst, volunteer Thalia Roberts ("Karleen") passed away on October 1, 2010 in her Colonia, N.J. home after a four year battle with ovarian cancer. By her side was her life partner of 25 years, Cass Cochrane, and their beloved pets. The cremation was private. A memorial service is planned for January 16, 2011 at the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield in Plainfield, N.J. (www.fusp.org). The middle child of three, Karleen was born on January 16, 1939, in Roswell, N.M. to Thomas and Ruby Roberts. Their father's work in the oil business kept the family moving between Texas and New Mexico before they finally able to settle in Snyder, Texas where all three children graduated from high school. Karleen's love of music began early in life when she took up the trumpet at age 12. After graduating from Snyder High School, Karleen attended the University of Texas on a full music scholarship where she was proud to be one of the first women to play in the previously all-male Longhorn Marching Band. Upon graduating from UT, Karleen spent a short time teaching junior and senior high school music in West Texas before auditioning to play in a professional touring orchestra comprised of all women. The group was led by Joan Fairfax, Canadian singer, television star and protégé of Guy Lombardo. The orchestra enjoyed a yearlong tour of the U.S., appearing in California, Nevada, Florida and finally ending the tour in New York City. In one of its last appearances together, the group was featured on the Tonight Show, when Johnny Carson surprised Skitch Henderson with a "new band" for his birthday, the all-girl orchestra. The group played a few songs and was very well received. Karleen fell in love with the NYC area and stayed on there after the tour ended. She lived happily in various parts of both New York and New Jersey for the rest of her life. In 1964, Karleen began a new career as a computer programmer/analyst with PSE&G and continued in that line of work with different companies for more than 30 years until she retired from AT&T in 1998. She then became a tireless volunteer with several organizations such as: Meals on Wheels of Woodbridge, Rahway Hospital and the food pantry, music and theatre groups of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield. Karleen also volunteered her time and musical talents with the Big Apple Corps Marching Band of NYC, the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra (NJIO), Bedside Harp, and the Hickory Tree Chorus in New Providence, N.J. During her last few years, Karleen and Cass enjoyed traveling to England and throughout the U.S. A vacation house on Long Beach Island was a second home to them and to their dear pets (3 cats and a dog). Karleen is survived by her beloved sister and brother, Camilla King and Thomas Jerry Roberts. With no children of her own, Karleen took great joy in being a major part of the growing up years of her devoted niece and nephew Whitney Chapman and Michael King. She'll be greatly missed by them and by their children, Davis, Mason, Presley and Reece. Dear nephews, Hunter and Bailey Roberts will mourn the loss of their cherished Aunt Karleen. Her adopted family, Bill, Georgeann, Brian, Billy, Michelle and Chris and their children, will miss her sweet smile and generous heart. Her kind, gentle spirit and gift of music will be missed by countless friends. Contributions in Karleen's memory, may be made to the food pantry and music committees of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield (www.fusp.org) or to your local animal shelter.