Roberta Rae Stearns

Roberta Rae Stearns (nee Anderson) Born October 10, 1931 Passed December 22, 2013 Robbie Stearns died peacefully at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, December 22, at her home in Ukiah, California, under the loving care of her family and hospice. She is survived by her loving husband, Peter, two daughters, Lindsey and Shelby, two sons, Cameron and Brian, and her grandson Skyler Lawson. Born to Lois and Charles Anderson in El Centro, California, Robbie lived in Potter Valley with her parents and her sister Corbeth. In the mid-1940s, the family moved to Fresno where Robbie attended high school. She later enrolled at San Jose State College, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Robbie then moved back to Ukiah, where her parents had moved and where she met Peter Stearns, her future husband. Robbie and Peter were married in 1956. The couple made their home in a small rented house. They were blessed by the arrival of their daughter, Lindsey Stearns, three years later. Over the next six years, Cameron Stearns, his brother Brian Stearns, and daughter Shelby were born. The Stearns family thrived. When Shelby, their youngest, was old enough to attend school, Robbie became a social worker for Mendocino County Social Services where she worked in Adult Services, Children's Services, and in General Family Assistance. A superb social worker, Robbie's skill in placing abused or neglected children in foster homes was outstanding. Robbie retired in 1997. She and Peter delighted in visiting their grown children in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix, Arizona. The years that they spent traveling the Pacific Northwest together delighted both of them. They also enjoyed trips to the Mendocino Coast and the inner mountains of Mendocino County, exploring the back roads and the natural world. An Avid reader, Robbie relished trading and discussing books with dear friends. Most of all, Robbie loved her home, which she and Peter shared for 46 years. Robbie Stearns will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.