Roberta T Starita

Obituary of Roberta Starita October 15, 1942 Our beloved wife and mother, Roberta Starita passed away in her home surrounded by her family on July 11, 2019. She lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. Once diagnosed a year ago, Roberta remained hopeful, yet well aware her life was changing. We admired her spirit and the way she woke up each day trying to remain brave. Even through numerous treatments, hospitalizations and pain, Roberta continued to fight and engage in life. She insisted on being present at all family functions whether Christmas, birthdays or Sunday family dinners. Roberta’s brother, nieces and nephews drove out to Long Island to celebrate her 76th Birthday. She was very excited to see everyone and felt so loved. Margaret and Joanne had the chance to visit Roberta in Florida to cheer her up. Roberta enjoyed making memories with friends and family. She gave us all such courage and hope. Roberta reminded us of how precious life is. Roberta was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 15, 1942. She was the daughter of the late Sebastian and Margaret Panza. She grew up in a loving home in Bensonhurst with her older siblings William Panza and predeceased sister Marie. Her home was always filled with family. Her large Italian family would gather in the kitchen playing cards, cooking and laughing. Roberta’s Father would take his children and cousins to their summer home in “the country” Rocky Point. She would always convince Dad to stop at the Carvel on Rt 347 along the way. While at a dance on May 7, 1960, Roberta met the love of her life, William Starita. It was the same day Bill left the army at Fort Dix. Bill courted Roberta and would drive from Long Island to see her in Brooklyn. They married May 19, 1962 at St Mary’s Church in Bensonhurst. Roberta and Bill moved to Babylon in 1967 to build their dream home where they raised their family for many years. They had 3 children, William, Janice and Jacqueline who passed away February 2, 2014. Their children treated them to a trip to London and Paris where they celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary. Bill loved to take Roberta on trips to Mexico and the Caribbean just to see her smile. In 2012, Roberta and Bill renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary in their home in Babylon. They were married for 57 years and were best friends devoted to each other. Roberta’s proudest accomplishment was being “Mommy.” She cherished her family and always put them first. She carried on her Italian traditions of how she grew up and the Kenyon home was where everyone socialized. One could smell the sauce and meatballs Mom was cooking from the kitchen every Sunday. Rosie, Freddie and Jackie were regulars on Sundays. The kitchen table became the place to be. Our friends loved to have “girl talk” with Berta. She would sit at the table listening to our problems and give us advice. Roberta loved to entertain. The Starita’s had countless parties, barbeques with bocce tournaments, birthday parties with ice cream bars for the kids and sleepovers. She even let the kids sneak into the pantry where they could always find endless snacks. Roberta organized block parties, trips to Montauk, Lake George, Great Adventure and Cedar Beach with family and neighbors. It was a fun home to grow up in. Everyone loved Mom! Roberta was a selfless, thoughtful, kind, beautiful, creative and fun lady. She had a memorable laugh, big blue eyes, loved having a bowl of Breyers chocolate ice cream with extra syrup every night, peach over pink, sunflowers, gardening, reading, Englebert, and baking. Roberta and Bill would make their own bread. Bill said to Roberta, “I told you if you married me you would be in the dough!” Roberta especially liked to bake Christmas cookies so it became a tradition. Every year Roberta and her daughters would bond over baking many cookies. She had to make sure everyone had their favorite. We will continue making Mom’s favorite, chocolate chips with walnuts. Roberta was a fan of Walt Disney World. Their first trip to Disney World was in 1976. In 2016 they even moved to Celebration, FL, the town Disney built. Roberta also loved our pets. We adopted Lucky a little over a year ago just before Roberta was diagnosed. He gave her comfort, joy and companionship during her battle. Roberta was always worried Lucky was still hungry even after he ate his meal. She fed him treats from the table. Thanks to Grandma, Lucky had enough Scooby snacks. He still sits under her chair at dinner. Lucky is now on a diet. Roberta is reunited with loved ones she has not seen in a long time. She is in God’s garden planting sunflowers, socializing, planning parties, dancing to “After the Lovin,” baking cookies with Jacqueline, making lasagna and stuffed artichokes with Marie, handing out treats to Stretch, Kitty, Fuzzy, Cody and Teddy and eating endless ice cream sundaes. Roberta was loved dearly and will be missed by family and friends. She will live on in the hearts of all the many lives she touched. Roberta provided lifelong memories for her children, family and friends that we will remember forever. She lived a full happy life that we are honored to celebrate the dash in between the day she entered the world and the day she left it. We encourage you to do the same. A Funeral Mass will be held in Celebration, FL at Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 11:30 AM on August 5, 2019. On August 23, 2019 at 11:00 AM, a Committal Service will be held when Roberta is buried with her daughter at St Charles Cemetery in East Farmingdale, NY. Directions can be found at this link Meeting point for the service is at the Chapel in the center of the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Roberta appreciates donations to American Cancer Society or the ASPCA- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Note: The directions link is the following: http://www.ccbklyn.org/our-cemeteries/st-charles-resurrection-cemeteries/driving-directions-st-charles-resurrection/

Roberta T Starita

October 15, 1942 - July 11, 2019