A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M., at the First Presbyterian Church on September 21, 2013. Condolences may be sent to www.grunnagle.com
On September 7, 2013, Roberta Neff passed away. Roberta was an inspiring Californian, proud of her heritage and committed to living her values.
Roberta was deeply inspired by Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross, finding satisfaction in helping others in need. She turned hitchhikers into lifelong friends and offered shelter to strangers without reservation.
In 1964, as a graduate of Berkeley, of UCSF, and new bride, she moved to a cabin in rural Lassen County. Living without electricity or running water she served as an itinerant public health nurse, working on indian reservations and visiting remote communities upstate.
In the early 70’s, she championed and opened a outreach clinic in Sacramento to provide health care for the urban poor while raising two sons and managing a 20 acre fa! rm on the delta.
Through the 80’s, she worked to expand the migrant heath programs in San Benito and Santa Clara counties to provide native language medical help in migrant camps and through after school programs.
The evening of the Loma Prieta Quake found 20 public health workers singing, drinking and sleeping throughout her house. They had been attending a nearby offsite when the earthquake hit. Damaged buildings drove them out of their lodging while damaged roads kept them from returning home. Roberta, of course, knew the solution.
Gifts weren’t purchased. Brandied cherries prepared in early summer were given to friends at Christmas. Visits were accompanied by casseroles and cakes. She had a distaste for brands and a love of anything hand crafted.
Fortunately love is not finite. As much as she gave to others, Roberta loved her family tenfold. She was a fire. She was home.
Goodbye Roberta. California is a better place because of you.
