Roberta Lee Marshall, aged 72, passed away on July 22, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. Born and raised in Manchester, MA, Roberta's passion for caring for others was evident from a young age. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire School of Nursing in 1984 and later earned her Master’s degree from Simmons College in 1995. Roberta's career was marked by her roles as a staff nurse at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, an assistant professor of nursing at Colby-Sawyer College, and a nurse practitioner at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Her dedication and compassion fostered close relationships with everyone she met, and fittingly, she passed away in the care of the hospital where she once strove for excellence in the care of her patients.
Roberta's love for the medical profession also led her to her husband, Dr. Kenneth Ness. Together, they moved from New Hampshire to Florida, where they opened a healthcare practice before retiring to Colorado. Roberta was known for her outgoing personality, her ability to form lifelong friendships, and her infectious sense of humor. She had a knack for making people laugh, often by hanging spoons from her nose, and her good nature was truly contagious.
Her passions extended beyond her profession. Roberta had a deep love for animals, enjoyed gardening, golf, cross-country skiing, and traveling with a camper in tow to explore the great outdoors. She was also incredibly crafty, often making candles, soaps, herbal salves, cards, and quilts. Her curiosity took her around the world, where she marveled at the heights of Mount Everest, the expanse of the Great Wall of China, and the beauty and history of Europe and South America, always with her beloved husband, Ken, by her side.
Roberta forged cherished friendships from western Colorado to the South of France, but family was always her priority. She was predeceased by her parents, John “Jack” and Elizabeth “Betty” Marshall, and her brother John “Jack” Marshall. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Ness, her son Sean and his wife Sera Gray, and her son Brian Gray. Her brother Michael “Mitch” Marshall, her cherished grandchildren Charlotte and Duncan, and her nieces Melissa, Megan, Ashley, and nephews Michael and John Marshall. Aunts Pete Marshall and Marilyn Forward.
Roberta lived life to its fullest, touching many lives along the way. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A gravesite gathering will be held on June 29th, 2024 at 11 a.m. in the Rosedale Cemetery, Manchester, MA followed by a celebration of life at the Marshall residence in Gloucester, MA.
