Eda Joyce "GiGi" Roberts, 91

They say some people take the easy road in life, and others take the road less traveled. GiGi, so nicknamed by her great granddaughters, has always taken the road less traveled. Her journey here on earth is over, and she is now going on to a bigger and better adventure. On the next portion of her trip she will be with her husband, Jack Sr., and son, Jack Jr. No doubt she will meet other family and friends along the way.

Eda Joyce Roberts, also known as GiGi by family, passed away February 3, 2014, in Coeur d’Alene.

Joyce was born December 9, 1923, in Hulme, Manchester, England. She was part of a family of six: three boys and three girls. Joyce finished school by the age of 14 when WW2 broke out. During the war she worked for Metro Vicks putting bomb parts together, and during the evenings and on the weekends she taught ballroom dancing. In 1939 she met Jack Roberts, a naval officer. During the war they were sweethearts, but it wasn't until 1947 that they married and left for Canada.

It was on that cruise across the Atlantic that Joyce and Jack developed their shared love of travel and adventure. In Canada, Joyce trained as a nurse and Jack worked in the Yukon Territories as an electrician for Metro Vicks. A year later with money, jobs and a sponsor, they left for America and ended up in Santa Monica, California. There they raised two children, Jack Jr. and Christine. In the 1960's they joined the Council of British Societies, the Hollywood Cricket Club, the Santa Monica Soccer Club, Order of Foresters, and British Belles. Joyce worked at Angels of Mercy Hospital in Los Angeles, then was employed with Santa Monica Hospital until 1993 when she retired at age 70.

During their marriage, Joyce and Jack traveled extensively all over the world and did a great deal of camping in the United States and Canada. They passed their passion for travel and adventure on to their children.

After Jack Sr. passed in 1975, Joyce continued to travel the world, going to Asia, Europe, Indonesia, Australia and Northern Africa. But her favorite place to visit was her native home in England. Joyce continued to dance every other weekend. Joyce's last trip was home to England in 2003 at the age of 80. In 2007 Joyce moved up to northern Idaho to be with her daughter and most cherished son in law, Bob. Joyce had two wonderful grandchildren, David and Julie, a fabulous grandson-in-law, Jorge, and a loving granddaughter-in-law, Hilary. Pam, a most adventurous woman and her traveling companion in spirit, was her second beloved daughter-in-law. Last, but hardly least, are GiGi's most precious and treasured darlings, her two great grandchildren, Hannah and Heather, whom she loved with all her heart and soul.

GiGi will be missed but never forgotten by all that knew and loved her. Joyce always said "Travel while you have your health, because you'll never know when you'll lose it."

We would like to thank the staff at The Renaissance Assisted Living Home for the care, comfort, joy and love they provided to Joyce in her final days. She truly loved the staff at The Renaissance and we cannot thank them enough, especially the caretakers that took care of her personal needs on a daily basis. Joyce felt their love and kindness, and we thank you for that. Please visit Eda’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com