Obituary |
- Roberta Jean Mabie, 82 of Springfield, passed away peacefully at 10:13 pm, Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Memorial Medical Center. Roberta was born on February 3, 1936 in Springfield, to Robert and Mary (Cherry) Cockayne. Roberta married Oliver Mabie on July 24, 1954 at St. Peter & Paul Church in Springfield: Oliver preceded her in death on December 3, 1999.
Roberta attended St. Peter & Paul Grade School and graduated from Lanphier High School in 1954. She began her career at Franklin Life Insurance Company and then worked as a Secretary at Lanphier High School, while her husband Ollie was a teacher there. Roberta then began working at SIU School of Medicine in 1979 and retired after 25 years. Roberta retired as an Administrative Aide to the Chairman of Psychiatry, Dr. Robert Becker. Dr. Becker nicknamed her "Flying Fingers" because of her typing and short hand skills. Her memories of working with Dr. Becker were some of the fondest from her career.
Roberta never missed Friday Night Date Night with her husband, Ollie. She enjoyed visiting and hosting her grandsons and shopping the day away with her granddaughters. Family was very important to Roberta; she always looked forward to monthly Vicari Party House Celebrations. In her free time, she enjoyed betting on the ponies with her husband and in-laws, listening to Frank Sinatra and going to weekly breakfasts with her high school girlfriends.
Survivors include two sons, Charlie (Sue) Mabie of McKinney, Texas; Bob Mabie of Springfield; four grandchildren; Thomas, Mike, Kelly and Stacy Mabie. Two sisters, Judy (Bob) Fassero, Debbie (Greg) Trello and one brother, Tom (Becky) Cockayne. Also surviving is sister in law, Judy Cockayne; brother in law, Gomer (Margie) Mabie and sister in law, Joan Bohles. Along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and great nieces and nephews.
Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, William Cockayne, sister and brother in law, Mary Alice and Tom Vicari; brother in law, Edris Mabie; sister in law Maebelle Joyce and brother in law, Charles Bohles.
Funeral Service: 11 am, Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield with Reverend Robert Jallas officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
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