Hilary Roberts Obituary (1930 - 2020)

Hilary Beryl Mary Roberts April 29, 1930 - December 12, 2020 Hilary Beryl Mary Roberts (nee Norris), formally of Springfield, Illinois died on December 12,2020 at the Sunrise Skilled Nursing home in Virden, Illinois at the age of 90. Hilary was born on April 29, 1930 and raised in the small village of Chilton, England. She was the youngest of eight children born to Charles Henry Norris and Mary Francis Shurrock. She grew up in the shadow of World War Two, losing her brother Dennis to that conflict in 1944 on Christmas day. Hilary loved working with children, which led her to pursue and receive a certification as a proper British Nanny. At the ripe age of 25 she met and married an American serviceman, Victor Wayne Roberts, from the state of Illinois while he was stationed in the UK serving as a munition's specialist for the US air force reserve. They married February 1955 and nearly a year later made the move to the Illinois farming life and started a family: Brent Wayne Roberts, Twins Mark and David Wayne Roberts, and Vicki Mary Roberts. The farming years did not last long. Victor went into the coal industry and eventually became a Federal Mine inspector which required the family to move several times. They ended up in Hillsboro, Illinois where Hilary received her driver's license and began to take wings and flourish. She was an avid bowler that received many trophies, most famously for congeniality. She began a career as Salesperson in Avon and became top of her district. Hilary and Victor divorced in the late 1970's and she made the decision to move back to England. She had an incredibly good job with CBS records and even was able to meet and get autographs of top stars such as Adam Ant. She remained there for several years. She made a few trips back to the states to visit her family. It was her love of children that finalized her decision to move back to Illinois in the form of Grandchildren so that she could be nearer to them. In 1990's she moved to Springfield, Illinois. After trying her hand unsatisfactorily at a few jobs, Hilary ended up doing childcare in her home for many years. She was fiercely independent until well in her 80's before life took its toll on her and she ended up moving to Sunrise skilled nursing home where she lived out the remainder of her life. She will always be remembered by her family for her quick-witted zingers, British cooking (most notedly the truffles!) and finally, her greatest love of all: shopping! She had a zest for life that was perhaps greatly influenced by her fondness for being around the younger generation and that kept her young at heart. Hilary is survived by her children Brent Wayne Roberts, David Wayne Roberts and Vicki Mary Roberts DuMontelle. She leaves behind her many loving Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Mary Norris, her brothers: Lewis, Wilfred. Ronald, Percy (James), Dennis, Gordon, her sister Francis, her Granddaughter Angela Elizabeth Roberts and most recently her son Mark Wayne Roberts. The Airsman & Calvert Funeral Home in Virden is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left online at www.airsmancalvert.com