Doris Roberts, Described as a 'Treasure'

Doris Roberts of Jefferson Township passed away last Saturday. She was 90.

“She was a treasure,” said Jefferson Township mayor Russell Felter. “She did a lot for this town, and was very active up until just a few months ago. She loved this town a lot, and she will be sorely missed. Our sympathy goes out to her friends and family.”

Roberts promoted many causes throughout town, including the Jefferson Arts Committee. She was remembered fondly by committee president Carol PUnturieri.

“Doris Roberts was a good person and a gracious lady who was full of energy and passionate about Jefferson Township. She was always a friend of the Jefferson Arts Committee and did all she could to promote our events as well as everything else going on in the township though her informative newspaper,” Punturieri said. “ I always admired her strength and the fact that she just kept going despite illness, despite pain.  Her enthusiasm and friendly smile will be missed around town.”

Roberts owned and operated The Shopper’s Friend for the past 35 years.

She was also an active member of the Jefferson Township Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson Township Rotary Club.

“I don’t know Jefferson Township without Doris,” said Dr. Bret Hartman, president of the Chamber. “She was the nicest woman, but she wasn’t shy about asking people to help out, and doing what needed to be done on any project.”

“What didn’t she mean to Jefferson,” said Jason Nicholas of the Rotary. “She was the epitome of helping to pursue funds for Rotary projects. She wasn’t bashful about it at all,” he added.

What follows is Roberts' obituary from Bermingham Funeral Home: 

Doris Roberts went home to be with the Lord on March 30, 2012. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of John and Catherine (Anstett) Oberst. She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert Lloyd Roberts and they resided in Pennsylvania. Robert served in the army during World War II and after his discharge, they moved to New Jersey. Robert passed away on November 11, 1998.

Doris was an employee of Redmond Press in Denville for over 10 years as a typesetter and paste-up artist. After leaving there, her and her daughter, Cathy produced and published her own newspaper, The Shopper’s Friend for the last 35 years.

Doris was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Berkshire Valley in Jefferson, where she was an ordained Elder and Deacon and a very active member of the Mission Committee.

She wrote a Baptism song for her grandson, Jonathan Burrafato, which was sung by the church choir at his baptism 22 years ago and has been sung ever since by the choir for each child that is baptized. She was also honored by the Presbyterian Women’s group as Women of the Year.

Doris was named Citizen of the Year in 2007 by Jefferson Mayor, Russell Felter. She also received many other awards and special recognitions in Jefferson, including three Community Service Awards from the Jefferson Arts Committee.

She was an extremely active member and the Secretary of the Jefferson Township Rotary Club and received a “Rotarian of the Year” Award and was named a “Paul Harris Fellow”, both wonderful honors for outstanding support from Doris.

Doris served a Vice-President of the Jefferson Township Chamber of Commerce and received three Presidents Awards. Art Bonito, President of Jefferson Highlights Community TV presented Doris with a plaque of Appreciation for her continued support of the program.

Doris was one of five persons honored as a “Living Treasure” in 2008 by the Program of the Morris County Office on Aging, Northwest Regional AARP and St. Francis Residential Community in Denville. This honor goes to individuals who epitomize the virtue of compassion, honesty and kindness and have made a difference in the community.

She is survived by her children, Robert James Roberts and his wife Mary of Andover; Terrance Bruce Roberts of Rockaway; David Lloyd Roberts and his wife Kathy of New Port Richey, FL and Catherine Ann Burrafato of Lake Hopatcong.

Doris was loved by ten grandchildren, Shayne, David and Joanna Roberts of Florida; Robert James Roberts and his wife Faith of Kentucky; Jason Roberts of Denville; Audrey Roberts Whittam and her husband Michael of Lake Mohawk; Michael Heiner(Burrafato) of Spokane, Washington; Aaron and Jonathan Burrafato of Lake Hopatcong; Nicholas Burrafato of Hawaii and three great grandchildren: Michael and Jessee Whittam of Lake Mohawk and Gage Roberts of Florida.

Doris was pre-deceased by her husband Robert, her sisters Margaret Williams and Mildred Streader; her Brother, Robert Oberst and her cousin and dearest friend from childhood, Ruby Oberst.

Funeral services will be held 11AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkshire Valley on Wednesday April 4, 2012 with the interment following in their cemetery.

Friends may call at the Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S. Main St., Wharton on Tuesday 3-5 & 7-9PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to her church, First Presbyterian Church of Berkshire Valley, 635 Berkshire Valley Road, Wharton, NJ 07885 – Earmarked for the Mission Committee that was so near and dear to Doris.