Roberta C. Brown died peacefully at home on Oct. 16 in West Palm Beach, Fla., surrounded by her husband and loving family. She was 90.
She was born Roberta Harriet Cook on Oct. 10, 1926 in Westfield, N.J. to Harriet (McEwen) and Harold Cook, and was soon joined by her younger sister, Marjorie. Roberta graduated from Westfield High School in 1944, and continued her education for two years at the Katherine Gibbs School in New York city. She worked as a legal secretary for several years in Manhattan before marrying Howard Harding Brown on April 29, 1949.
Before long they had four children, whom she and Harding raised in Westfield, N.J., where they themselves had been raised, and where many of their extended family also lived. Roberta was the quintessential homemaker, providing a loving home for her family, and caring extensively for others in and out of her family network. She was an exemplary wife and partner to the love of her life, Harding, whom she met when she was 16.
Roberta was highly intelligent yet demure and soft-spoken, always quietly fashionable, and ever kind. She served for years at the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, N.J. both volunteering and as an active board member. She was also very involved with, and president of, the Visiting Nurses Association of Union County, N.J. She enjoyed playing bridge and golf at Shackamaxon Golf and Country Club, handwork, crosswords, reading, and baking. She and Harding were able to travel extensively throughout their marriage, deeply appreciating other cultures.
As the years went on, Roberta and Harding were blessed with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They were able to enjoy a summer home in Edgartown beginning in 1965, and were active members of the Edgartown Yacht Club and the Edgartown Golf Club. Later still, they purchased a home at the Breakers West community in West Palm Beach, Fla., eventually splitting their year between Florida and the Vineyard.
Roberta leaves her loving husband, companion, and friend of 67 years, H. Harding Brown of West Palm Beach and Edgartown; her children Rande Brown of New York city, Aron Brown and his wife Kim of Bedford N.H.; Robert Brown of Morristown, N.J.; and Sharon Gamsby, of West Tisbury; her grandchildren Mohawk and Nemo Bolin, Jay and Amanda Brown, and Turner Brown; her great-grandchildren Omen and Ziggy Bolin; and her beloved sister, Marjorie Crosby of Whiting, N.J.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to her dedicated caregivers, Marie Jean-Francois, Gladgine (Gigi) Valbrun, and Norma Payne.
We may not see you, but you are with us. Much more than a memory, your love and care remains. We love you completely, and will miss you always.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m. at Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way in Royal Palm Beach, Fla., 33411. Interment will follow.
No flowers please. Memorial donations may be made to Trust Bridge Health, Hospice of Palm Beach County and Broward County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407.
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