Roberta M. (McClements) Robinson

Roberta “Betty” (McClements) Robinson, 92, died peacefully in her sleep on October 2, 2019.

She was born on September 9, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA to Robert and Emma (Connor)  McClements.  After graduating from Frankford High School, she worked in the Frankford Arsenal and remained in the Philadelphia area for the majority of her life.

While raising her family, Betty pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She attended Mercer County Community College before obtaining a B.S. from Gwynedd Mercy College and going on to earn a M.S. from West Chester University. Completing all her degrees with a 4.0 average, she entered one of the most challenging nursing disciplines becoming an ICU/CCU nurse. Betty worked in numerous hospitals surrounding the Trenton, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. areas. Later in her career, she became a school nurse in the Great Valley School District in Malvern, PA from which she retired in the late 1990s.

Betty was a generous and compassionate person with a strong faith. Perhaps the accomplishment she was most proud of began in 1984, when she approached the Great Valley School District and her church, Covenant Presbyterian in Frazer, PA with an idea to start a Christmas Family Giving Program. Her goal was to make sure every child had a wonderful holiday. Over the next several years, Betty expanded the program into a year-round endeavor providing food, clothing, household as well as other supplies to the community. Run solely with donations, the People’s Pantry as it is now called, supports over 500 families in the district and continues Betty’s mission.

Betty loved to read, travel, participate in church activities and spend time with her family. Her little cottage on the ocean in Jonesport, Maine had a special place in her heart. For over 70 years she spent vacations and later in life, her summers there. Nowhere was she more content, cooking and visiting with friends and family. She will be remembered for her sweet smile and always wanting to give you a big hug. She is survived by her brother Robert McClements, loving daughters Victoria Robinson and Patricia Thompson, son-in-law Ken and grandsons, Rob and Patrick who will carry her in their hearts forever. She is predeceased by her sister Kathleen Froggatt, brother Jack McClements and daughter Paige Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The People’s Pantry at Church Road http://www.churchroadpantry.org.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 3:00 P.M. at the Storrs Community Church, 90 Tolland Turnpike, Coventry, CT.   For an online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roberta M. (McClements) Robinson, please visit our floral store.