Adelia "Dede" Robertson, the wife of CBN founder Pat Robertson, passed away on Tuesday at her home in Virginia Beach, VA. She was 94.
Regent University, a private Christian college in Virginia Beach, posted an obituary detailing Dede's life.
"Dede Robertson was a woman of great faith, a champion of the Gospel, and a remarkable servant of Christ who has left an indelible print on all that she set her hand to during her extraordinary life," Pat Robertson, the founder and chancellor of Regent University said in a statement.
Dede, born on December 3, 1927, in Columbus, Ohio, served on the boards of The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., Regent University, and Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation.
She held a Masters of Nursing Degree from Yale University School of Nursing and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Administration from Ohio State University. During her time at Yale, she met Pat, who studied law at Yale Law School. The two married in 1954, almost 70 years ago.
"My mom was a rock. She was a rock throughout our childhood. Dad had to travel a lot, but Mom was always there for us kids… that gives great security to children," her daughter, Ann LeBlanc, said.
"Mom was the glue that held the Robertson family together. She was always working behind the scenes. If it weren't for Mom, there wouldn't be a CBN," said her son Gordon Robertson, who currently serves as the host of CBN's "700 Club."
According to her obituary, Dede was appointed as the principal U.S. delegate to the Inter-American Commission of Women in 1982. She represented the nation for eight years. In her role, Dede worked to elevate the status of women in Latin America. In 1986, Dede was selected as Christian Woman of the Year.
Over the next two years, Dede vigorously campaigned for her husband as he sought the
Republican presidential nomination in 1988. She visited 52 cities on behalf of Pat throughout his presidential bid.
Dede also traveled across the globe on behalf of CBN, Operation Blessing International, and The Flying Hospital's medical mission.
Dede is the author of two books, My God Will Supply and The New You, and wrote a monthly column, All in a Woman's Day, for Christian Life Magazine.
She was also an interior decorator. She designed the furniture and selected the carpeting for the Regent University Chapel and decorated the Regent University Theatre, which was considered her crowning achievement.
Additionally, she led the design team in creating the experience for visitors at The Swan Terrace of The Founders Inn and Spa.
Dede is survived by her husband, four children, 14 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.
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Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Justin Kendra
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
