During these trying times it is difficult to endure the additional burden of the loss of people close to us. In these last three months three women of significance to the Mountain Rose Proanos and the Rocky Mountain Atelier have passed through transition. We wish to honor their memory and send comfort to the family and friends of these wonderful women who have moved on to The Greater Light.
Roberta Jane Billingsley – May 12, 1927 – March 19, 2020
Accomplished mystic, talented artist, patient teacher and loving mother and wife were the talents that Roberta brought to the world, but a kind, gentle and generous soul is how she’ll be remembered. Roberta was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Horace and Clara Worthington. Due to a prophetic vision of her mother, Roberta with her parents and two younger sisters moved to Eldora, Colorado, in 1944. In Eldora, her mother served as postmaster for the Eldora US Post Office and her father ran The Hitchin’ Post general store, catering to the few locals and many summer tourists. It was among these tourists that Roberta met her husband, Bill Billingsley. The Billingsley family annually summered at their cabin in Eldora from their home in Iowa. Bill and Roberta were married in 1948 and settled in Boulder where they raised their children Kirk, Ken and Marianne and Roberta resided until her transition; Bill preceded her in transition in 1981.
Roberta joined AMORC in 1957 and attended the Denver Lodge. When she made the decision to join AMORC and sent in her registration, she said she heard an unseen choir singing "Ring the bells of heaven, there is joy today, for a wandering soul has found its way." She read through the entire set of monographs at least three times, getting a new set whenever updates were offered. Roberta was a founding member of Columbine Pronaos in Boulder, where she served multiple times as Guardian, Archivist and Master and wanted to help it become, "The best little pronaos we could be.” Roberta also served as Columbine's Regional Monitor for some time. One of Roberta’s particular skills was metaphysical healing and she spent many years on the metaphysical aid team and applying reiki to help others.
Roberta shared her mystical gifts with all seekers. Her wisdom and insights were in almost constant demand by people attracted to her dynamic energy. Although she was generous with her time and insight, she always carefully guided people to seek their inner Master without doing it for them. Her dowsing skills helped many people to better understand their personal energy and healing path and she never stood in judgement of those she assisted. Roberta never charged a fee for her services, rather providing them on a love offering basis.
One of Roberta’s passions was a project to explain the mystical and symbolic meanings of the books of the bible. Using her effortless artistic talent, Roberta opened new insights to participants at numerous seminars and retreats using colorful visuals to illustrate the topic.
It is perhaps not a coincidence that Roberta transitioned on March 19, 2020 on the Spring equinox and Rosicrucian New Year. A Rosicrucian memorial service as well as a Celebration of Life will be held when gatherings are once again permitted following Covid-19.
It would not be accurate to say that her light will be missed here on earth, as it continues to glow in the lessons, insights and love that she gave to all of us. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Francisca (Frances) Gutierrez Stanko was born on March 21, 1949 in Chihuahua, Mexico to parents Andrea Escalante and Ysidro Gutierrez. She moved to Boulder in 1972, and passed away on December 31, 2019 at her home, surrounded by family, in Lafayette, Colorado after a lengthy illness. Frances married Robert (Bob) Stanko (the former Regional Monitor of Columbine Pronaos in Boulder and then Mountain Rose Pronaos), on March 18, 1978. Bob and Frances raised their son Robert and their daughter Vanessa in a home that Frances enjoyed making a central place of gathering. Frances' greatest joys in life were her granddaughters Katalina (11), Khalia (11), and Graysen (1) who will miss her greatly. Frances is also survived by her sisters Mercedes, Clara, and Hilda, numerous nieces and nephews, daughter-in-law Adrienne, and son-in-law Nick. In her career Frances was a devoted public servant, retiring after 18 years with Boulder County Administration. Frances was a rare combination of strength and compassion, who would fight for what she believes and would do anything for those she loved.
Our sister, Marie Dolores Fickas, SI, passed through transition and into the Greater Light at 12:30 on March 26, 2020. Marie was born February 16, 1956.
Marie has been an integral part of the inner workings of the Rocky Mountain Atelier conventicles each month while keeping the social area supplies in order and arranged without anyone being aware of her efforts for the greater good of each month’s class participants, making ritualistic regalia for members as well as her marvelous cooking!!!
Marie has acted as the Acting Sentinel for the Atelier’s Associate Class for the past 4 years – bringing her Light and ready smile and cheerful energy with her at every moment.
Marie was the beloved wife of our Past Atelier Master, current Acting Sentinel and current Master of the Mountain Rose Pronaos, Bill Fickas, SI,FRC. Marie’s constant support of Bill’s activities allowed Bill to be the superb Master of the Atelier these past two years as well as his service in the 4 years prior to being Master, as the Sentinel and then Orator – and then on to becoming Atelier Master in the 2018-2019 TMO Cycle.
Those of us privileged to have known and shared the TMO activities with Marie will not forget her – her ready smile, her quiet strength and most of all her abundant Light!
Marie has now passed on to the Great Initiation – all is now revealed to her.
May we ALL Ever Dwell in the Eternal Light of Divine Wisdom,
Terry Orlikoski, SI, SRC
Master Rocky Mountain Atelier
