FRAMINGHAM: Roberta Mae “Bobbe” Buckingham, 87, died peacefully on Monday, June 19, 2017, at Kathleen Daniel Health Care in Framingham, following a period of declining health.
Born in Waltham on December 5, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Merritt Hamilton Buckingham and Alberta F. (Coakley) Buckingham. Roberta grew up in Wayland with her younger twin sisters, Shirley and Priscilla.
School days were happy days for Roberta. Her passion for liberal arts and the classics brought her much joy. She attended Radcliffe College, followed by completion of her BS in Education from Framingham State Teachers’ College, Class of 1951. Her degree led way to teaching on Martha’s Vineyard at Oak Bluffs Elementary School.
During summer break, her long-standing strength in liberal arts veered her course into a career as an Administrative Secretary with Feedback Control, Inc. of Natick, the SS Pierce Co., and an Administrative Assistant for the Medical Staff at Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick.
In retirement, Roberta, performed as a vocal soloist with the Golden Tones in Wayland, the Wellesley Choral Society and the choir at Community Methodist Church in Cochituate. Additionally, she was a soloist at the Hotel Lenox in Boston at Diamond Jim’s Piano Bar.
Roberta leaves two loving sisters, Priscilla B. Banghart of St. Joseph, MI and Shirley A. Schofield of Natick, former longtime Wayland resident. She is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews, Gary Schofield (Stephanie), Susan Wright (Tom), Dwight Schofield, Beth Schofield, Melanie Harvey (Bob), Frank Schofield (Maura), David Schofield (Beth), Lauri Filar (Alan), Debi Smith-Taylor (Jim), Laura Kok (the late Gary), and Lawrence “Bucky” Smith (Lisa), and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
At Roberta’s request, a private funeral is planned. Interment will be in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Golden Tones, Inc., 41 Cochituate Road, Wayland MA 01778.