March 17, 1946 - July 15, 1989

Eulogy Delivered  by Nick Spaulding

Luke 10 Verses 25-28

And, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying,
“Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said unto them:
“What is written in the law?
And he, answering said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
With all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength,
And with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.”
And He said unto him, “Thou hast answered right:
This do, and thou shall live.”

She has gone on before us. . .She has crossed the threshold between this world and the next.
And although her departure seems sudden to us, feels painful to us. . .
Still, we know she was happy, she was productive, and she was prepared.
Because Roberta was willing to prepare, she was prepared, and as her family and friends. .
We know this to be true.

 I remember a moment in time, a few years ago. . . one of our opera productions, on this stage.
It was a celebration scene, there were 15 or 20 people on stage in festive costumes. . . everyone
singing.  As I looked from the back of the room, one person in the group really stood out.  I knew
I knew her, but I could not recognize her because of the hairstyle and costume.  She was singing,
And she was beautiful.   Then I realized. . .it was Roberta.
Today, the reason for this vivid memory is clear.
That night I was seeing and feeling the essence,
the quintessence of Roberta.   She was giving, and she was radiant.

 So while the truth can have a sharp edge, it can also have a broad, strong beam.
And today, our two families meet,  to show our gratitude and appreciation for the gift of friendship
we have been given. . .Who would blame us?  Who could find fault with us for wanting just a little more. Once having received her encouragement?  Once having received her warmth and kindness?

 It helps to realize, that sometimes, all that can be given. . .has been given.  And isn’t it a miracle
of friendship, that its seed, once planted. . .grows timeless?  Beyond both the giver and the receiver?
So today, for Roberta, we give thanks.  And today we begin again, and try to give.  Not because
we are strong enough, but because the giving makes us strong enough.

 Roberta was willing to prepare.   She was prepared.  And as her family and friends,
we know this to be true.

Epitaph
Beauty Immortal
Awakes from the tomb

We are time’s subjects, and time bids be gone.

Shakespeare