Obituary of Roberta Ann David

Dateline: Clifton Park

Roberta Ann David (Bobbie), 85, of Clifton Park, New York passed away on January 11, 2021 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York from COVID-19, with her husband and her daughter by her side.  She was a communicant of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Clifton Park, NY. 

 Bobbie was born on January 4, 1936 in Oceanside, New York to Catherine and Richard Hunt.  She attended Catholic elementary school, and graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park.  After graduating, Bobbie worked as an office secretary, where she met Daniel David, another Floral Park native. They both went to Sewanhaka High, though their paths never crossed at school. They were married in 1959 and moved to Carmel, New York where they raised their five children.

 Roberta was a very talented seamstress who made beautiful clothes and dresses—as well as memorable Halloween costumes—for her family.  She also poured her creative energies into renovating and redecorating the family’s 1879 Victorian home. Her children would often come home from school to find their mother bent over a sewing machine making patchwork quilts, on a stepladder painting the ceiling, or in the basement refinishing yet another piece of secondhand furniture, which she picked up during weekend family outings to antique stores all across New England. Within a few short years, she made the former rooming house into a warm and welcoming home.

 A wonderful cook and hostess, Bobbie often had extended family members over for Thanksgiving or Easter dinners, and many now-grown nieces and nephews still speak fondly of their childhood holiday memories at “Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Dan’s house.” Hers was the house the kids’ friends ran through to grab a glass of Kool-Aid or a snack, and hers was the table to which her college-aged offspring brought friends who were unable to go home for the holidays. Whether serving six or sixteen, Roberta made everyone feel welcome with her gracious, and seemingly effortless, hospitality. 

 When her youngest was school age, Roberta returned to work as the receptionist at Dansk Designs in Mount Kisco, New York, maker of Danish tableware. Given her quick wit and warm, gregarious personality, it was no surprise when Bobbie was promoted to customer service manager, a job she held for over 30 years. Using the alias “Lisa Larsen” (because the company thought it sounded more Scandinavian), Roberta spent her days helping people from around the world solve any and all problems they might have had with Dansk products. 

 After retiring, Bobbie and Dan moved to Clifton Park, NY to be closer to their grandchildren. Still an excellent cook, Bobbie continued to enjoy hosting family dinners.  Bobbie is remembered for her kindness; her warm, generous spirit; her devotion to her family; her sharp sense of humor, and her world-class hugs.

 Roberta is predeceased by her son, Steven David; brother, Richard Hunt and sister, Patricia Lorey. 

 She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years Daniel David, daughters Lauren (Craig) Peden of New York, New York, Karen David of Winnetka, California, Lynne (Tim) Macko of Glenville, New York, son Jonathan David of Winnetka, California, three grandchildren, Cheyenne Riemann, Daniel Macko, Anna Macko, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

 Bobbie’s family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Ellis Hospital, particularly Drs. Gorbachev and Platt and nurses Ally, Carla, Courtney, Danielle, Molly, Rena, Shannon, Suzanne, and Vee, whose compassionate care and tireless professionalism were a great comfort to us.

Following a private Mass at St. Edward the Confessor in Clifton Park, NY Roberta will be interred at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, arranged by Glenville Funeral Home. A memorial service will be organized later in 2021 as circumstances allow. Online condolences www.glenvillefuneralhome.com