Roberta Worcester Obituary

Roberta Faith Worcester

Dec 27, 1939 - Nov 9, 2023

Willard

Roberta Faith "Bobbie" Worcester, 83, resident of Willard, died Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at home surrounded by family.

She was born Dec. 27, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, to Dr. William and Bettie (Kerr) Kauffman. She was a young girl when she moved to Willard.

Roberta graduated from Willard High School in 1957. She graduated from Hiram

College with B.A. in Music Education and received her Masters degree in Music Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

She taught at Cuyahoga Falls City Schools, University School, Bloomington, Indiana, and Willard City Schools. While at Willard Schools, she worked as a substitute teacher, Kindergarten teacher aide, and seventh-grade general music teacher. Also, for 10 years each, she coached seventh-grade girls volleyball and worked during the summer months as a pre-K teacher at the Migrant School.

She married her high school classmate, Russell Worcester, in 1967, who was a local, handsome farmer from Greenfield Township.

Bobbie was a past member of the Music Study Club, a founding member of Willard High School Fine Arts Board, Community Choir Director, served on the United Fund Board, American Lung Association of Huron County, serving as Ambassador for the Lung Association along with her son, Andrew, one year. She was a founding member of Willard Area Historical Society serving as Vice President its first year and serving as President the second year. She was a former member of Research Club, serving as President, program chairman, and secretary.

She was choir director at Grace Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and Willard Christian Reformed Church in Celeryville.

In her later years, she attended Willard Christian Reformed Church on Maple Street.

After retirement, she remained active by participating in Yoga classes, low-impact aerobics classes, and maintaining a walking schedule. According to her, it was the next best thing to dancing.

She is survived by three sons, Robert (Sharon) Worcester of rural Norwalk, Andrew Worcester of Willard, and Philip (Marianna) Worcester of rural Willard; daughter, Bettie (Robert) Whitright of Willard; grandchildren, Amber and Jeremiah, Ethan, Savannah, and Connar, and Brayden, Emma, and Ellie; special great-grandchild, T.J.; brother, Charles (Nancy) Kauffman of Columbia, South Carolina; nephew, William Kauffman of Columbia, South Carolina; niece, Sheri (Chris) Keays; two children, Jason and Kevin of Hobe Sound, Florida; two close cousins, Louise Hare of Hillard and Marjorie Moore of Hardeesville, South Carolina; and several cousins in Michigan.

She enjoyed being outside, traveling, and spending time with her family, grandchildren, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Russell Worcester; and sister, Leslie Kauffman.

Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, at Secor Funeral Home, Willard. Roberta's funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, at Christian Alliance Church, formerly First Presbyterian Church of Willard, 124 W. Maple Street, Willard, with Pastor Bart McKelvey officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, New Haven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Willard Food Bank, Operation Smile, or the donor's choice.

She and her family wish to thank both Helping Hands and Heartland Hospice for their in-home care.

Online condolences can be left for the family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com.