Roberta 'Robbie' McAfee Sullivan, 61

Roberta "Robbie" McAfee Sullivan was born Dec. 5, 1946, in Freeport, Texas. She passed peacefully early Jan. 10, 2008, in the company of friends and family after a short and valiant battle with cancer.

Robbie was an instructor and counselor at Flathead Valley Community College and began her teaching career in 1968.

She met and married her husband, Mark, in Oklahoma City in 1983. Together they moved to Edmond, Okla., then to Fayetteville, Ark., before their move to Whitefish, Mark's hometown, in 1989. Mark always believed that because of this marriage that he was "the luckiest man alive."

Robbie grew up in Oklahoma City and was the oldest of six children. Her mother, Henrietta McAfee, and two sisters, Sharon Ammon and Nancy Thompson and their families still reside in Oklahoma City. The youngest sister, Martha Bitter, and her family live in Tyler, Texas, and her brother, Mike McAfee, and his family live in Oregon.

Robbie was preceded in death by her father, Bob McAfee; and one brother, Pat.

She is survived by her husband, Mark, of Kalispell; her son, Robert, of Columbus, Ohio; and her daughter, Martha Rendahl. Martha is married to husband, Joe, and they reside in Whitefish with their two children.

Robbie was a wonderful grandma to her two grandkids and would light up the room anytime she was given the chance to talk about them. She spent a great deal of time with them, and they will dearly miss their sweet grandma.

Robbie's strong belief in the value of education was passed on to her sisters and brothers and their children, as well as her own children. At Flathead Valley Community College, her enthusiasm was infectious, and colleagues and students alike enjoyed her company and respected her abilities. Her sense of humor and upbeat attitude were transmitted to all who came in contact with her.

Robbie formed many rich friendships in the Flathead Valley and all across the state of Montana. Many of these dear friends are also friends of Bill W. She will be remembered for the help and encouragement she gave to all.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at Flathead Valley Community College in the Arts and Technology building. Burial will be afterward at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. A short reception will be after burial.

"Happy Trails, Robbie."