Elena S. Roberts Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

ELENA SAMPAOLESI ROBERTS 92, of Dunedin, Florida passed into the holy realm on June 30, 2022. She was born October 5, 1929 in Rome, Italy to Letizia and Guglielmo Sampaolesi. Elena passed peacefully surrounded by her precious friends, Bonnie Carroll, Julie Magnuson, son Kane and her daughter Cindy Ward. When Elena was a young girl during WWll Nazi forces occupied Rome. Because her father was ill and her mother had to care for him, Elena had to stand in line before school in freezing, rainy or hot weather to secure a loaf of bread for the family. This went on for three years, and after the war money was scarce. Elena's friend invited her to attend a fashion show, she had to borrow a dress. While at this event she was offered a job as a model. She modeled for two years until she convinced her cousin's husband, an officer in the Italian Air Force, to allow her to become an airline stewardess with Alitalia Airlines. She flew around the world for ten years until she met the love of her life, Capt. Lewis V. Roberts of the U.S. Air Force. Capt. Roberts was on a NATO assignment in Italy to instruct Italian Air Force personnel how to use a new radar system. They married on September 30, 1959 and were relocated to the United States. Capt. Roberts served his country and retired as a Lt. Colonel, he was a fighter pilot in WWll. Elena was a loving, devoted wife for fifty years until Lewis passed on June 28, 2008. Their little dog, Pookie enriched their lives with unconditional love. They enjoyed many cruises together and both loved airplanes, boats and sports cars. Elena delighted lunching with friends especially at Innisbrook Golf Resort. She stated her most treasured moment occurred on September 3, 1964 when she became a citizen of the United States of America. After the death of Lewis, Elena met Bonnie Carroll, a woman of exemplary character and an extraordinary caring practicing nurse. She became Elena's dearest friend and faithful companion. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lewis V. Roberts, her parents, her daughter, Jane Parnell and Cindy's husband Bill Ward, and son Wil Ward. She is survived by her husband's daughter, Cindy Ward and granddaughter, Katy Ward both of Dallas, Texas. Every life is a story, and Elena Roberts certainly had stories to tell!

Tributes

Elena S. Roberts

October 5, 1929 - June 30, 2022