"I also worked with Bobbi for many years at BU. Her infectious smile and kind demeanor made many a day better. She will be missed by all who knew her, I am sure, yet fondly remembered. I pray for a peaceful transition for all she left behind. Charlie Gould"
In loving memory of
Roberta Croce
March 31, 1941 - October 2, 2013
Roberta "Bobbi" Anne (Gederman) Croce, succumbed to lymphoma at age 72, on October 2, 2013. Born in Providence on March 31, 1941 to Harris M. Gederman and Evelyn (Brisson) Gederman.Loving wife of 51 years to Paul A. Croce, of 664 Third Beach Road, MiddletownMother of Tonia Croce of Newport, Candace Santos of North Kingstown and Paul Croce II of Old Wethersfield, CT, and Mother-in-law to Dawn Croce.Grandmother of Wilson and Sofia Santos, and Thomas and Samuel Croce. Sister of Lynne Merrill of Middletown. Dear friend to Christine McLeod of Narragansett, RI, Pat Fairchild of Ayer, MA, Esther Kennedy of Portsmouth, RI, Diane Croce of Cumberland, RI, Berl Hartman of Cambridge and Gail Bilezerian of No. Smithfield, RI. Bobbi graduated Classical High School and the University of Rhode Island, earning a bachelors degree in mathematics; at URI, she was president of her Alpha Chi Omega sorority, played field hockey and was elected to the prestigious senior honorary society of Sachems.Early in her career, she worked at MIT's Instrumentation Laboratory (now the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory) on the guidance system for the Apollo program. Later, after raising her children, she resumed her career and became Director of Information Security at Boston University, developing the first broad computer security system for the University. In the late 1990s, she was invited to testify on the topic of cyber security at a Presidential Commission on Infrastructure Security. When living in Newton, MA, she was very active in the school PTAs and in the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council, and she was the originator of Village Day in Newton Highlands, which is still celebrated more than 35 years later. In retirement, she became a hospice volunteer for Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties in Portsmouth. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, reading, book clubs, painting, hats, gardening, her cars, her Sweetie Pie and her Dory, and especially being Mamie to her grandchildren.Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, October 8 from 6:00-9:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a remembrance service to be held at 8:00pm.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 9 at 10:00am in St. Joseph's Church, Broadway and Mann Ave, Newport. Committal will follow in RI Veteran's Cemetery, Exeter, RI.In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Bobbi Croce to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1210 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Cemetery Details Rhode Island Veteran's Memorial Cemetery 301 South County Trail Exeter, RI, 02822 Visitation OCT 8. 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Visitation OCT 9. 10:00 AM St. Josephs Church Mann Avenue at Broadway Newport, RI, US
Tributes
"Sacred Duty Spray was purchased for the family of Roberta Croce."
"Carole Bernocco lit a candle in memory of Roberta Croce"
"I worked with Bobbi at BU for many years, and I would be hard pressed to think of a nicer, kinder person there. It is sad to read of her passing, but I look at the list of people she's left behind who mourn her and rejoice in the full life she lived."
"Bobbi, she was an incredible and giving person. I'll always love my mentor and my dear friend. I can never repay all you gave and continue to give to my life. You were always there for support and love. I love you and always will. I'll miss our "chats". I was blessed to know and love you. Joanne Kelly"
"Maureen Edenbach lit a candle in memory of Roberta Croce"
"You are the flowers or tallest trees.You are the strongest wind or the gentlest breeze.You are the snowflake on a winters day.You are the gold in a field of hay.You are the cloud that flits across the sky.You are the moon as it shines on high.You are the skylark when it sings it's song.You are the Peacock, proud and strong.You are the raindrops upon the fell.You are the bluebell in woodland dell.You are the very air we breathe........We have hardly lost you, if you are all of these.Words from a member of the extended family who Bobbi never met, but who is waiting in heaven to greet her.God rest Bobbi, you will be missed by so many but never forgotten.David, Caz & Joyce( Dawn's Brother, Sister-in-law and Mum, UK )"
"Vivid Recollections was purchased for the family of Roberta Croce."
"I know she must have been a beautiful soul as she had such in her children. May you be comforted knowing you carry her with you."
"I was very young, 12 or 13, and noodling on the piano during a rare visit; We lived on the west coast. Auntie Bobbi payed me a compliment I have never forgotten. (The jadings of age have suggested to me that it was *probably* just an offhand remark, but it meant the world then and I thought of it often as I taught myself to play guitar.)"
"Tonia Croce lit a candle in memory of Roberta Croce"
"Roberta "Bobbi" Croce was beautiful both inside and out. Her contagious smile lit up the salon every time she walked in. She was a pleasure to know and will be missed greatly. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Love,Your Friends at KiRa Salon"