We Remember
TRANFIELD, Roberta May
December 19, 1950 — October 9, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce Roberta May Tranfield passed away unexpectedly on October 9, 2024, at the age of 73.
Roberta is survived by her children, Erin (Ivo) Telley and Morgan (Kristen) Tranfield; grandchildren, Marcus, Taya, and Brie Tranfield; sister Barbara (Harry) Jaako; nephew Kevin (Vilja) Jaako; and niece Leah Jaako. She was also part of the large, loving Tranfield family who adopted her into their hearts and lives. She was predeceased by her husband Terrance Tranfield, and her parents Duncan & Gladys Ross.
She was born and raised in Vancouver, where she met and married Terrance. Together they moved to the Okanagan and built their family home, cattle farm and eventually a bed-and-breakfast overlooking Wood and Kalamalka Lakes in Lake Country, BC.
Roberta was a passionate gardener, an avid traveller, a talented seamstress, and a gifted cook. She found immense joy in her family, eagerly anticipating visits from her daughter and son-in-law from overseas and sharing special moments with her son and his family. Roberta loved exploring local wineries with family and friends alike. She had many special lunches with her dear friend, Gladys Goode at Davidson Orchards and made many memories over the years with friends she met during her time teaching. Roberta’s thoughtful nature shone through in her love of giving surprise gifts and sharing her talents (often tasty cakes or creative knitting) with the people around her.
An organized and disciplined woman of principle, Roberta dedicated her career to education. She served as a teacher in Kelowna, and later as vice principal in Rutland, then in Lake Country. Her commitment to her students was unwavering. Once she retired, she ran an award-winning Bed and Breakfast at her home for over ten years.
Roberta cherished seeing her grandchildren grow up, and spending time with them. She embodied the role of a loving matriarch. Her daily walks with her dear dog, Amy, on her beautiful property brought her peace and joy. Her caring spirit and steadfast presence will be profoundly missed.
Roberta leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and kindness that will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the BC SPCA.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm (PDT), at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. A reception will follow. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM (PDT)
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
BC SPCA Link: www.spca.bc.ca
Service Information
Service Details
The service for TRANFIELD, Roberta May is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
We are sending our deepest condolences to everyone in Robby’s circle. She was an absolutely incredible person and we are better people for having her in our life.
Deepest condolences to you all. Robbie will be missed.
Our deepest condolences to all and especially to the Jaako’s our dearest friends. Thinking of you in this sad time, with love from Amsterdam
Robbie was a great educator. She had fun working in schools. She could always be seen (being so tall) and heard laughing in the hallways and in her classrooms…having a good time with her students.
My best to all of her family. Robbie was special .
I am so sorry to hear this news. I worked with Roberta while at Rutland Senior Secondary. I found her to be a very pleasant, kind, and no nonsense person who always listened and acted on whatever needed to be done. My sincerest condolences to the family and friends. May she rest in peace.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. You are all in our thoughts and we are sending our deepest sympathies.
We are so saddened to hear of your mom’s passing Morgan. Our blessings to you and your whole family for this tragic loss.
I am very sorry for your loss. I attended G.E.S.S class of 2001 and always remember Mrs.Tranfield’s kindness. She will be missed by many.
Dear Barbara and Harry,
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of your sister Barb. Our thoughts are with you..
Best regards,
Tiina and Hillar
We
Nos sincères condoléances à vous et à votre famille.
Nous regrettons d’être loin de vous dans ces tristes moments. Soyez sur que nous pensées a vous.
Avec des salutations silencieuses Gerlinde et Roland
We are heartbroken for your loss Erin & Morgan. Your mom was such a strong and remarkable woman. Looking forward to seeing you both at the service. Love and hugs.
Dear Barb, Harry and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved sister. At this difficult time please know we are thinking of you all.
Mrs Tranfield was my neighbour growing up in Oyama, I confess, I was always in awe of her, and spent many hours playing, exploring, swimming, and hauling hay with the Tranfield’s. Erin and her family were part of my amazing childhood and I feel Blessed to Have known her and Mr Tranfield. I was always welcome in their home and often rode my horses through the property to access the trails behind them. Thank you for being a cherished part of my childhood, teen years and later my adult life also. You will be missed, however, I am sure you will be keeping a watchful eye over us all. Many condolences to the family. Erin and Morgan, big hugs to you all.
Fabulous woman, prayers for the family
I am very sorry to read of Mrs. Transfield’s passing. She was my high school Family Management teacher. She ran the preschool program and encouraged me to make Early Childhood Education my career. I did do just that and 35+ years later I am still loving every minute of it. Thank you Mrs T. for putting my feet on the right path. May you rest in eternal peace. My deepest condolences to your family.
My heartfelt condolences to all of the family with the shocking news of Robby’s much too early death! So sad! Robby was a high school friend who adopted me when I arrived at Kits Secondary to take grade 12! Such a difficult year to start a new school… but Robby took me under her angel wings and included me in her gang of wonderful friends! We had many wonderful shopping trips during our years at UBC! Robby, always larger-than-life, and me the squirt! She’d drive her first car “Joey” which was very small! She’d fold herself in and off we’d go, Robby looking for wonderful material as she always brilliantly sewed her own wardrobe! And my …she had style!
We worked together at Woolworths, enjoyed time together in University and I enjoyed being in her wedding party! We both became educators and school administrators and enjoyed sharing happy stories and “war” stories from work! So sad to hear of her passing but so many wonderful memories to hold onto. My best to her precious grandchildren, her two dear children and her beloved sister and family.
It is with great sadness that I learned of Robbie’s passing of almost 50 years of knowing each other I will miss her loyal friendship
Thinking of all out family today as we remember Roberta. Wishing I could be there in person as she is remembered by all for the truly unique woman she was. Adventurous, creative, kind, and no nonsense funny. So strong! I admired her courageous spirit as she went out and explored the world on her own in the final years of life. I think of her standing on top of mountains, or the hills of little towns, as she herself towered, a warm smile and her arms up wide open as she liked to pose. She lived a full life and yet she will be missed by many so dearly. Much love, Heather
It was with sadness and surprise that I learned of the passing of Robbie. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. I had the privilege of working with Robbie In Lake Country and admired her dedication and the care she showed to her students and fellow professionals. Her joyful spirit and kindness will be missed.
What a beautiful and touching memorial service for Roberta. Danny and I were able to take part through the live feed., from Vancouver Island, What beautiful words from Erin, Brie and Barb. We send our deepest condolences to all the family. Kaia and Dan Beaudry
Our deepest condolences. We are all the better for having known Robbie. She was a woman of compassion and caring. Our thoughts are with you.
I enjoyed doing some landscaping work for Robbie. I had only recently befriended her last year, so I am sad that I missed the opportunity to spend more time with her. I appreciated the beautiful property, home she enjoyed and their artwork. So nice that her daughter lived so close, to bring her joy. Her sunflowers shone like her personality.
I enjoyed doing landscaping work for Robbie. I had only recently befriended her last year, so I am sad that I missed the opportunity to spend more time with her. What a beautiful property she enjoyed and artwork which she chose within her home. So nice that her daughter lived so close, to bring her joy. Her sunflowers shone like her personality.
Bobbi was a remarkable administrator and person, and I had immense respect for her. Her dedication, kindness, and positive spirit left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be greatly missed.