Mary Roberta Smith Cole

1922-2022

On November 15, 2022 our dynamic, adventurous, creative and fun loving mother, Roberta “Bobbie” Cole died at the age of 100. A woman of deep faith, she died in her sleep very peacefully and content. Her family had celebrated her 60th 70th 80th 90th and 100th birthday in style with great gatherings and acknowledgments of the wonders of this woman. This time the July 8, 2022 celebration of Roberta, was her 100th birthday a great way to celebrate our own energizer bunny.

During her long and full life, Bobbie was the magnet that pulled us together. She loved her roles as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and friend to all. She was born in Chicago July 8, 1922, to Paul Gerard Smith and Mary Alice Lundgren Smith, moved with her family to New York City and on to Hollywood where her playwright father was recruited to write the first movies. Her family bonds were always strong and her sister Jeanne, brothers Jerry and Carl and Chicago cousins benefited . She passed on the importance of family to her own brood, teaching us the difference between first, second, third cousins once removed!.

Bobbie was an actress while attending Immaculate Heart High School and UCLA, retiring to raise five children and two nephews, first in Los Angeles then moving north to Piedmont. Their door was always open, welcoming friends and friends of friends at all times. A woman ahead of her time, Bobbie was determined to have her daughters attend college and have careers, her grandchildren accept opportunities for travel and education. She taught us the most by her actions, working in far-flung places, New Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Netherlands, Ireland as well as the soup kitchens here and showing “Never say Never” is a good motto. Mom was a stickler for good grammar and as her clan grew she was affectionately caller “ Grammmer”. She was a great storyteller and convinced the children and grandchildren that the wee folks indeed lived in her bookcase. She was never shy about her opinions on politics, the church, life. She valued a discussion but you best be able to back up your statements. And her Easter Lamb cake and rum cake were traditions that carry on.

Her red headed spirit remained strong her long life. Her inspiration and vitality, (she won her first marathon at 65), are our best gifts. To honor her we can strive to be more like her - accept challenges, dance in the kitchen, sing show tunes, and know whatever sorrows come, “this too shall pass”. Relish the time spent with close friends. Keep a twinkle in your eye and make mischief.

She is survived by her children Tina , Kevin, Robin, Wendy, Karen, nephews Alan, Barton, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass at Newman Center, Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley will be held January 7, 2023 at 10AM.

Another mass will be said at St. Joseph’s in Seattle on January 12, 2023 at 10AM. Mom lived her last 28 years in Seattle, near her daughter and youngest grandchildren.

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