Obituary of Dorice Conner Roberts

DORICE CONNER ROBERTS, 100, died on March 17, 2018 on Islesboro Island, Maine. She was born August 26, 1917 in Detroit, MI but at age three, after the death of her mother, her father returned to Indiana with his young daughters to be closer to family members. Dorice lived in southern Indiana for the rest of her life. She attended the Silver Street Elementary and New Albany High Schools and earned a B.M.Ed. degree from DePauw University in Greencastle. Upon graduation, she taught music in the New Albany and Seymour school systems. Dorice met her future husband, James R. Roberts, while working as a secretary at the DuPont Powder Plant in Charlestown during World War II.. They lived and raised their son in New Albany, IN. Dorice gained a reputation for being a talented pianist. She taught piano lessons for more than 50 years. She accompanied high school students in state musical competitions, and she was active in the Trinity United Methodist Church choir, both singing and providing piano accompaniments. She produced the musical score for the Christmas operetta, The Year Without Santa Claus. She also wrote and published several piano/instrumental duets. Dorice was a long-time member of the Jennie Gebhart Hedden Music Study Club and was honored as one of Floyd County's most influential musicians of the 20th Century. She was also a member of the Alpha Club and Coterie. Dorice was predeceased by her husband in 1987. She is survived by her sister, Betty Pruitt, her son and his wife,Jim and Derreth Roberts, two grandsons and their wives and three great-grandsons as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dorice moved to Islesboro, Maine in 2017 to be near her son and daughter.. She loved her time at Boardman Cottage and was very appreciative of all the care she received there. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on May 19, 2018 at Trinity Methodist Church in New Albany. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boardman Cottage, 131 Main Road, Islesboro, ME 04848. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ripostafh.com,