Obituary of Barbara J. Roberts

Barbara Joan Roberts was born September 10, 1929, at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY and died peacefully on Friday, July 16, 2021. She was the loving wife of Richard E. Roberts for 56 years, who predeceased her along with their cherished son, Jeffrey Richard Roberts. Barbara was also predeceased by her beloved siblings; William Turner, Helen (Turner) Blanchard and Dorothy (Turner) Rigley. Barbara spent her entire life in the Schenectady, New York area enjoying all of its beauty. Growing up she and her older siblings spent the summers on their mother’s family farm in Ballston Spa, New York. She met the love of her life, Richard, at Mont Pleasant High School when he returned from his stint in the Army Air Corp to take a refresher course prior to attending Union College. Barbara relished her role as Grandma to Kendall Barbara, Tyler Richard, Grace Elizabeth and Henry Richard Roberts. Known to Kendall and Tyler as “Grandma” and to Grace and Henry as “Baba”. She loved spending Wednesdays and Sundays playing golf at the Mohawk Golf Club. Barb and Dick would join their friends throughout the year traveling the country for golfing vacations. She also enjoyed playing tennis, and skiing with her family at Hickory Hill in Warrensburg, New York. That is until an unruly T-Bar took her out! And on any given Saturday in the fall, Barb and Dick would be in the stands at Union College wearing their garnet and grey clothing to cheer on the Dutchmen football team! Barbara defeated cancer twice in her life, a true warrior with always a smile on her face. Barbara enjoyed traveling with Dick and their first big trip together was to the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas with the family where they would return again. Barb also travelled to the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, England, Wales and France. Barbara absolutely loved spending a week in Montepulciano, Italy with her entire family as they celebrated the wedding of Chris and Stephanie. She was able to sail the seas with Dick to Alaska and with Allison and John to Spain, Italy, Capri and Malta. Barb also was “young” enough to take a Disney cruise with Brad, Tracey, Kendall and Tyler – we are sure she wore the Mickey Mouse ears, too. One of her most memorable trips was a 50th anniversary gift from the Chris Schmid family of their yacht for the family to cruise the Exuma Islands in style! Barbara was a very kind, caring and loving person who always had a smile on her face, or as we all called it “The Turner Grin”. She loved a good Old Fashioned, preferably with rye, a little sugar and extra cherries. And let’s not forget her love of chocolate - she was quick to point out to everyone that she was a true chocoholic! Barbara was on the board at the Schenectady Boys and Girls Club and on the board of The Eddy, where she spent her later years. She also attended Union Presbyterian Church. Barbara is survived by her 3 children who were lucky to have had this remarkable mother and her unconditional love in their lives for so many years: Allison Roberts (husband John Fagen) of Cumming, Georgia, Bradley Roberts (wife Tracey Roberts) of Kildeer, Illinois and Christopher Roberts (wife Stephanie Roberts) of Niskayuna, New York. She is also survived by her four grandchildren Kendall, Tyler, Grace and Henry; her sister-in-law Ruth Turner; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street, Schenectady, New York from 3-5 Friday July 23rd. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to The Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady, The Foundation for Ellis Medicine, or Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.