Obituary of Roberta Callahan

Roberta Louise Callahan, lovingly known as Roberta, was a courageous, thoughtful, and wise woman whose life reflected perseverance, strong faith, and deep devotion to family. Born on July 16, 1943, in Apohaqui, New Brunswick, she passed away on March 27, 2026, at Hospice in Palm Coast, Florida, at the age of 82. Though her earthly journey ended due to cerebral atherosclerosis, her spirit and legacy continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Roberta was raised in New Brunswick, Canada, with the values of hard work, humility, and faith. The foundation of her life was shaped by her grandparents, Walter “Big Daddy” Callahan and Nana. She attended grade school in Norton, New Brunswick, where she began developing the steady character that would guide her through life. She later studied computer programming at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Her education, combined with her natural intelligence and lifelong willingness to learn, laid the groundwork for a successful career.

Roberta worked as a programmer at General Electric Aircraft Engine Group in Lynn, Massachusetts, and later at GE Nuclear Power in San Jose, California. She served as Software Program Manager for the F-16 logistics program at Dynamics Research Corporation in Wilmington, Massachusetts, and went on to work as a business analyst and manager at Digital Equipment Corporation in Merrimack, New Hampshire, through its transitions to Compaq and Hewlett Packard. In every role, she brought intelligence, discipline, calm confidence, and integrity. She earned the respect of her colleagues without seeking the spotlight.

Roberta lived with a quiet and strong Christian faith that she gifted to her son. She trusted God through both joys and trials, believing that the true measure of a person is found in how they bless others. Her cheerful spirit and steady strength encouraged those around her to keep going and to stand firm in the face of difficult and sometimes unbearable circumstances. She showed that wisdom grows through experience and that thoughtful living leaves a lasting mark. 

Family was one of the great treasures of Roberta’s life. She was a beloved cousin and a keeper of family history, someone who remembered names, stories, and connections that might otherwise have been lost to time. She understood the sacred value of memory and the importance of passing down the story of a family from one generation to the next. She is survived by her daughter, Sherri Bright, and her son, Gary White Sr. and his wife Susan. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Christine White, Ashley White, and Gary White Jr., as well as her great-grandchild, Preston White. These loved ones carry forward not only her memory but also the strength, wisdom, and love she poured into her family over the years. 

Roberta also found joy in the simple and beautiful gifts of life. She loved dancing and music, especially the songs of Elvis and Johnny Cash, and those rhythms surely brought her moments of happiness and celebration. She tended to life with patience and care for others, cherished family get-togethers for holidays and summer cookouts. She enjoyed gardening, especially loved traveling and spending time in the garden with her longtime significant other, Phil Lacroix. Their shared experiences added warmth and companionship to her journey, and the memories they created together remain a meaningful part of her story. In these joys, Roberta showed that a full life is not measured only by accomplishments, but also by the ability to delight in beauty, companionship, family gatherings, and the everyday wonders of God’s creation.

Those who knew Roberta will remember her as courageous in facing life with dignity, thoughtful in the way she listened and cared, and wise in her understanding of people and life. Her life was a testimony of steadfast love, quiet faithfulness, and grace. Though she is no longer with us in body, her influence remains, and her memory will continue to be a blessing.  Her presence brought steadiness, and her words carried encouragement that reminds one that God is at work in every life.

As we remember Roberta, we give thanks for a life well lived and a soul that touched many.  Her journey is a reminder that the most meaningful lives are lived in quiet faithfulness, steadfast love, and graceful service to others.  Though she is no longer with us in body, her influence remains, and the lessons of her life continue to speak.  May her memory be a blessing, and may her example inspire all who knew her to live with courage, to love with intention, and to walk faithfully with God.

There will be a funeral service on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in the Riverbank Chapel at 11:00AM. Following the service, the burial will take place in the adjoining cemetery.