Roberta Elouise Maas

Roberta Elouise (Bevier) Maas, affectionately known as “Grandma Birdie”, passed away peacefully at home on August 7th, 2024, just days prior to her 81st birthday, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Irvin and Marjorie (Jones) Bevier when they lived in Loomis, Washington. After graduating from Okanogan High School, Roberta married Alfred Maas in 1961. Not long after, they welcomed their son Lynnard. In 1963 they moved to Los Angeles, California; returning home to Okanogan County in 1964 to be close to family. They welcomed their daughter Deanna “DeeDee” not long after returning home. Roberta and Al lived in Malott, Washington since 1965. Around 1974, they began planning their dream house up on the hill. They built their home stick by stick as they could afford it, loving the view and the small-town atmosphere, allowing many to enjoy their house and providing a wonderful outlet and a place of learning and growth. Roberta’s enthusiasm for teaching was contagious to any open mind, providing a creative outlet to inspire them to express themselves, with humility. She discovered her desire to teach during her employment with Okanogan High School as a teacher’s aide for Study Hall. Students still reminisce about the days in her Study Hall class. During this time, Roberta attended night school, graduating with an AA in 1978 from Wenatchee Valley College North, in Omak, Washington. She then completed her degree in 1980 from Eastern Washington University, receiving her BA in Education with Cum Laude honors. Soon after, she was hired by the Bridgeport School District and taught Art, Math, and Photography, including yearbook, retiring in 2006 with 25 years of service. Roberta loved to travel with close friends and family. Visits to Lincoln City, Oregon with her loving husband Al and best friend Jan Fanning were a yearly occurrence. Reading books, going to the casino, walking the beach collecting things to incorporate into art, and taking lots of pictures were just some of the things she loved about the ocean. Watching storms that rolled in gave them great pleasure. She took great pride in her family history, and any family get togethers, leaving quite the legacy. When family needed leadership, she was the one to jump in without hesitation. She looked forward to going to Lost Lake with her Aunt LaWanda Jones every year to quilt with all her artistic friends. The Art Building at the Okanogan County Fair was always pulling her in for various roles. Many adored her for her creative talents, including photography, quilting, piecing, embroidering, painting, drawing, flower arranging, pottery, leather tooling, fly tying, crocheting, knitting… and the list goes on. She never passed up an opportunity to learn a new art medium. Roberta gracefully touched so many lives and was patient and kind to so many. Her family, friends, and students truly loved and respected her. Please know the items she gifted to so many people were made from her heart, and she put her all into it. Cherish those items and know that she loved you very much. Roberta was preceded in death by her loving husband Alfred Maas, parents Irvin and Marge Bevier, brother Ronald Bevier, sister Darlene (David) Gillespie, grandson’s Zane Woodward, and Chamber Condon. She leaves behind her son Lynnard Maas, daughter DeeDee (Richard) Epperson, granddaughter Monika (Damon) Woodward, granddaughter Lynzy (Jonathon) Turk, grandson Anthony “Tony” Epperson, great grandson Bud Condon, brother Donald Bevier, sister Bonita Ballinger, brother Roger (Judy) Bevier, sister in-law Mariella (Robert) George, and many nieces and nephews, including great and great-great nieces and nephews. A memorial will be announced later. In lieu of flowers. If you would like to donate, please choose your favorite art organization or Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, 800 S Jasmine, Suite 3, Omak, WA 98841. If you would like to share something with us about our mother, we encourage you to visit the River Valley Funeral & Cremation website (www.rivervalleyfuneral.com). Thank you and God Bless.

Roberta Elouise Maas

August 10, 1943 - August 7, 2024