Monday, September 26, 2022
My mother, Edith Finkel, worked with Roberta at the Pennsylvania State Hospital, (AKA Byberry) sometime around the late 1960's until the mid 1970's. My Mom said that Roberta was one of her favorite people. My Mom was a social worker and she and Roberta became good friends. My Mom held Roberta's bridal shower in our home.
I remember Roberta very well. She was loving, giving, thoughtful and made you feel special. When I was a little girl, Roberta took an interest in me. She knew that I loved Art. She invited me to join her Art Class at the State Hospital. I remember being in the class. She was doing Art Therapy with a group of old gentlemen who were patients at the hospital. They were seated around a long table. The men were so quiet because it had been a long time since they had seen a little girl. Some time later, they made a doll cradle and a shelf for me. They painted the cradle pink and the shelf white. I still have and treasure those things because they were made for me.
Another memory that I have of Roberta is when she was selling her art and interesting objects at an outdoor fair or flea market. Roberta had a blanket spread out with the things she was selling. She had an opal which was still in its natural state. I admired the opal, She gave it to me. I still have it. I was around 11 years old when she gave it to me. I am 61 now.
When our local PBS Station in Philly was holding an art auction fund raiser, my Mom was one of the people who volunteered to bring in objects to be auctioned. Roberta made a cool face mask which looked like a sea creature. It had sea shells surrounding the face. My Mom loved it so much, that she purchased the mask herself. It is still hanging in my parents' dining room.
My Mom and I are very sorry to hear that Roberta passed away. She was a very special lady and a good friend.
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