Roberts - The Life and Times of Charles A. Roberts

many. He had a small guest house built to the side of the garden which he enjoyed using as a study as well as a guest room. Numerous Hong Kong friends came through to visit and stay awhile. They were seldom without visitors every week from many places around the world as well as the U.S. Daughter Joyce, on leave from India. remained in the U. S. to be of greater assistance to her parents when Grace had a severe heart attack in the fall of 1972. Both Janet and Joyce would spend their weekends helping their parents with entertainment and family celebrations which were enjoyed by all. Joyce was teaching at Biola University and Janet was assistant principal at Le Conte J.H.S. in Hollywood. July 21, 1975 Grace did not wake up one moming...she had slipped into heaven. Even though Charles knew his wife was not well, the sudden realization that he was alone again, and himself 80 years of age, was again an emotional trauma. Four months earlier they had just moved into a new home overlooking the Pacific Ocean so that Charles would no longer have such a large garden to manage, but still could remain in his village of San Clemente where he had his church home and many friends. However, his grandchildren were now a solace, growing up and numbering 13, and were beginning to get married. For such occasions he had a handsome gold suit made in Hong Kong by his very special friend, Beatrice Wong. He called it his wedding suit. He now lived alone. puttering around the small garden and patio and walking his precious mini schnauzer. Mei Ling, around the block. But the stream of family and visitors continued. Daughter Faith was a volunteer teacher in a Christian school in Florida and he went to stay with her for a few months but did not like the climate. Another time he visited daughter Jean in Athens, Georgia, and again he was glad to return to San Clemente. Then he decided he would like to take one last trip to Hong Kong. Thus after the family celebration of his 85th birthday held at the Coronado Hotel in San Diego, daughter Joyce accompanied him to Hong Kong. After three weeks in Hong Kong with daughter An Shuen and friends and good Chinese food, daughter An Ting invited him to visit her in Singapore for two more weeks. Joyce had to return home, but he continued on his own speaking and visiting with the people he so loved. That would be his last trip overseas. Now he would resign himself to smaller vacations in the U.S. in subsequent years.

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