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Roberta Hawkins Obituary
Roberta Hawkins was the founder and Executive Director of the Alliance for Better Long Term Care, Inc., a not-for-profit private agency dedicated to the mission of improving the quality of life and health care of residents of long term care facilities, assisted living facilities and home health care and hospice patients.
Roberta Hawkins led, developed, and expanded the agency for 30 years, providing advocacy and assistance to consumers of long term care, their families and their caregivers. Under her direction, the Alliance was designated in 1998 as the R. I. Ombudsman for Long Term Care by the R. I. Dept. of Elderly Affairs. In that capacity, Alliance staff and trained volunteers advocate for elders and disabled persons in long term care who are victims of abuse, neglect, abandonment or financial exploitation.
She was a frequent caller and visitor to state agencies and state officials and appeared at countless hearings and meetings to voice her concerns and to advocate for improvements to the quality of care and the quality of life for long term care patients. She promoted and supported legislative and regulatory improvements for health care and was an implacable foe of any attempt to disadvantage people needing long term care.
There was no one too high for her to engage in her campaigns. She was vocal and tireless on behalf of her constituents, and she made time to give her personal attention to countless families, patients, caregivers and care providers.
During her career, she served on scores of policy and advisory boards, including the R.I. Long Term Care Coordinating Council and the R. I. Disability Law Center and participated in hundreds of work groups to protect and improve long term care programs and services.
She was recognized by Attorney General Patrick Lynch for her work in the Hillside Health Center scandal; by former Lt. Governor Fogarty for her outstanding efforts to promote residents' rights; by Quality Partners of RI for lifetime achievement, and others too numerous to mention.
She was the beloved mother of Cynthia Redman and the late Robin Klees; devoted grandmother of Melissa Klees and Robert Klees; sister of Susan Puleo, Jane Seal, and Stephen Beltrami. She also leaves her sister-in-law Rosemarie Barre; godchildren Katherine Bourgeault, Stephen Beltrami, Jr., and Lisa Cotoia; caregiver Richard Allen; and her many friends.
Calling hours are Friday 3-7 pm with a service to be held at 7 pm in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. In lieu of flowers, contributions to ABLTC, 422 Post Road, Suite 204, Warwick, RI will be appreciated. Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of her life Wednesday, December 17 at 5 pm at the Warwick Country Club, Warwick Neck Avenue. Info and guestbook, visit www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roberta Hawkins
Judy Andrews
December 30, 2008
I will never forget her dedication to my needs when my father was abused in the nursing home. Roberta called me immediately and was as mad as I was, or more. She was an Angel to the elderly and also to the families . I will never forget her as long as I live. I wanted to contact her recently in regards to my mother but also wanted to work for her. I was devasted to learn that a person so sincere and really cares left us too soon. She can never be replaced and I am sure she will continue her work as an angel..
anonymous admirer
December 20, 2008
So sad that this incredible woman is no longer here on earth.....the Alliance will never be the same without her! God Bless you Roberta Hawkins, may your soul rest in peace!
Linda Rodrigues
December 18, 2008
what a women, if i live to be half the person she was and will remain in m y heart and mind i will be happy. she was to be recond with,God bless her for that! A day I will remember in january,and days before she was there for us people of Rosewood and residents too,you will never be forgotten roberta or the people who worked for you,and I thank them too. Roberta you will be greatly missed and now you will watch over us from a much larger,stressless place,and over a longer and wider space than you could before,IMAGINE,my freinds, SMILE.
Kathy Viveiros
December 17, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Roberta. I met her about 18yrs ago when I was a CNA and she inspired me a great deal. She will be missed greatly, I loved her and her outgoing personality and how out spoken she was. What a woman!
Det. William Strain
December 16, 2008
To the family of Roberta, my deepest sympathy. I witnessed first hand Roberta's tireless efforts on behalf of the elderly. She cared deeply for people she did not know and would never meet. She was genuine. She will be remembered forever.
Patricia Buonomano
December 15, 2008
To a woman who leaves a legacy, didn't stop with the word NO, and continued to advocate on behalf of the population she so loved.
May her phenomenal team continue to work in her memory, and remember her mentoring and words of wisdom.
Roberta certainly earned her angel wings, and may she rest in peace, but be remembered always........
Marie Capobianco
December 15, 2008
I worked with Roberta for a few years, the education she offered was beyond reproach. She was a strong and honest woman and no one could touch her advocacy skills. She had a fire within and her light shone bright. It was hard not to embrace her energy and remain a part of that, I know I will continue advocacy efforts and be better due to my time with Roberta.
Thank You, Marie
Ann
December 15, 2008
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Paula
December 13, 2008
My deepest sympathies to all family and friends. Her tireless crusade and voice of equality are a legacy that will live on. I consider myself grateful for having known this compassionate and feisty woman. Her words will always guide my commitment to serving the elderly. May she find solace in the special place in Heaven reserved for her.
farah paul
December 13, 2008
Roberta, from all of the dedicated CNA'S in the state of RI. that had
work with you. the wisdom that you shared with us thankyou, thankyou.
WE will miss you.til we meet again.
Cherry Hill Manor
December 12, 2008
From all of us at Cherry Hill Manor, our thoughts and prayers are with both the family and friends of Roberta. We are truely sorry for your loss.
JERRY BUTLER
December 12, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Lori Brothers, Administrator
December 12, 2008
Thank you for all you did for our seniors. You will be missed!!
From the staff of Pawtucket Nursing & Rehab. Center,
Lori Brothers
December 12, 2008
I will always remember your words of wisdom and know that your are now with your family, resting in peace.
You will be missed!!
Heidi Capela
December 12, 2008
I am honored to have known and worked with such a caring, compasssionate, and dedicated women. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Eleanor Slater Hospital
December 12, 2008
The patients and staff of Eleanor Slater Hospital wish to extend our sincere sympathies to Roberta's family and friends. Her memory will remain forever in our hearts.
Grand Islander Grand Islander
December 12, 2008
Your light will always shine Roberta!
Your friends at the Grand Islander Center in Middletown, RI
Janet Colardo
December 12, 2008
I worked for Roberta many years ago, and I can only say what a wonderful, strong, beautiful woman Roberta was to everyone. Her heart was as big as her smile. She's an angel.
Cheryl Carpenter
December 12, 2008
May all the Angels now watch over you as you cared and watch over many. You attitude on life was a high point of mine. I met you only once and since that day you added a much needed pep talk. God bless you for all that you have done and may your family always hold the honor of your life in their hearts.
December 12, 2008
Please except our condolences. May Roberta rest in peace.
(Orchard View Manor)
david perreault & family
December 11, 2008
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Gary St. Peter
December 11, 2008
Our of my very dearest of friends, Roberta Hawkins, has now passed.
A great many of you knew her or you knew of her!
I visited with her several times these past many weeks and I spoke with her on Sunday.
Indeed, when I was in my own coma earlier this year, she even tried to visit with me by telling the hospital staff in the ICU that she was my half-sister! Unfortunately for Roberta, too many people in the health care field knew who she was!
She always told me that I should never stop fighting for those who truly mattered to me.
She even echoed these words to me as she helped me back with her own ‘tough love’ approach to everything life threw her way!
Indeed, she never did stop fighting until she was stopped herself - for reasons I’m not about to try to understand - at least not right now.
She’ll be so very missed by so many: especially those very old and infirmed ‘unknowns’ who just couldn’t advocate for themselves!
There are but a handful of people in my life who I believe have had their ‘heavenly ticket already punched’ while still here on earth.
Roberta is – was - one of them!
Godspeed Roberta!
Your very, very dear friend,
Gary St. Peter
God, you will be sadly missed by ALL of the St. Peters: since all of us, Gary, Jan, Chris and Matt, were beneficiaries of your humor, your compassion and your commitment to others.
Connie Wenzel-Jordan
December 11, 2008
I will forever be grateful to Roberta for truly understanding my situation as a caregiver of a severely disabled daughter.
She hired me knowing that I could not work full-time and that I needed a flexible schedule. She understood the implications of me being responsible for a family member who will require a lifetime of care, someone vulnerable and unable to speak for herself.
Roberta gave me a chance to practice my professional skills as a public relations person in an organization that actually makes a difference. She knew I was someone who would believe in the mission of the Alliance and promote the agency as if my life depended on it.
Once in a while she would tell me, “You’re a true advocate.” I consider that the greatest compliment I’ve ever received.
Not often does one have a chance to work for a boss who is a genuine larger than life figure, the real deal, a force of nature and a friend. Roberta was a superstar. It was an honor to work for her.
Anne Mary (Connolly) Tremblay
December 11, 2008
I am a former neighbor of Roberta's. In our pre-teen,teen and early adult years she always looked out for us and we could go to her with problems (the kind you didn't want to share with your parents) and gave no-nonsense advice but always with love and humor. When my daughter was born, she came to visit with Melissa who presented my baby with one of her own favorite stuffed animals, it was a pink lamb; we still have it. She explained to me that she was teaching Melissa to share. Much later, she was great counsel to my mother when she was in the unenviable position of having to chose a nursing home for my dad who had dementia. She will be remembered as a caring, loving and giving person who had what it took to get things done. I am lucky to have known her. Cindy, Steve, Jane, Melissa and the rest of the extended family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Roberta, you have left a legacy of good, may you rest in peace with Lee and Robin.
Richard A Furia, CPA
December 11, 2008
Roberta's organization rented space in our building for over 20 years. She was a friend, a wonderful person, someone you could go to with a problem and she would drop whatever she was doing to help. She helped me many times during difficult personal periods. I will always remember her.
Rosanne Andrews
December 11, 2008
My deepest sympathy to Roberta's family. I have known her for 30years as a friend. She was a very compassionate woman. Know that she is now at peace, and back with her husband Leon whom she loved so much, and most important back with our Lord. May He hold you all in His loving arms and comfort you in the time of sorrow.
David Dosa
December 11, 2008
I'll never forget interviewing the nursing home ombudsman from California for a research project I was involved with. When I told him I was from Rhode Island, his eyes opened wide. "Oh god, Roberta!" was his response. Her passion for the plight of nursing home residents knew no bounds and she will be remembered by all those in the business. She will be severely missed and I am better for having known her.
Anita Corley
December 11, 2008
To Roberta's Family, Friends,and Colleagues,
Roberta has left a legacy of good works for elders and frail in the state of Rhode Island and beyond.
I will miss her energy and feisty attitude, and often she said what I was afraid to say when she stood up for other's rights.When I light my candles this holiday season, Roberta and all of those who cared for her and worked beside her will be in my thoughts and prayers. Roberta knew that a world which was loving and kind to elders was a peaceful, loving world. And that is so true.
Sincerely,
Anita N Corley
Elder Services Coordinator
Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center
Mary Yakey/Gorman
December 11, 2008
Roberta was an amazing woman who was the guardian of the elderly.
She will be sadly missed by all.
Nancy Brissette
December 11, 2008
I didn't know you personnaly. I knew of you. Thank you Roberta for your passion and commitment to the elderly.
Rick Brooks
December 11, 2008
Roberta was an impassioned and tireless advocate for patients and their families. Roberta was greatly admired, and will be sorely missed, by those of us who work to make life better for health care workers and patients.
Kelly Andrade
December 11, 2008
Roberta will be very missed by all. Our prayers are with her friends and family. We are so sorry for your loss.
Harborside Healthcare - Greenwood, Warwick
BUTLER FAMILY BUTLER
December 11, 2008
The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.
JOSEPH&CAROL RATTE
December 11, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tom Lavallee
December 11, 2008
From all of us at Summit Commons Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, please accept our sincere condolences. Roberta will be missed; she was one of a kind.
Bleama Forman
December 11, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Treasure all the good memories.
Roberta was a remarkable person.
Randy Rauso
December 11, 2008
All of here at the Village at Waterman Lake express our deepest sympathies to Roberta's extended family. She was a true champion of many causes and her tireless efforts will never be forgotten.
Park View Nrsg Home
December 11, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
December 11, 2008
Dear Hawkins and Alliance family,, On behalf of all residents, families, and staff of Eastgate Nursing Center, our sincere condolences on Robertas passing. She certainly will be missed and remembered by all.
Sincerely, Donna Amaral
John Partridge R.N. DNS
December 11, 2008
All your friends at Grandview Center in Cumberland will miss you greatly!
KATHY DONAHUE
December 11, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Kat (visitor at Cherry Hill Manor Nursing Home)
Cheryl Vezina
December 11, 2008
Roberta, you created a legacy of love for all with your unforgetable voice of great compassion and conviction. Those who love you shall miss you but will find great comfort in your legacy of advocacy.
I, for one, shall always keep close to my heart our discussions of family and lifes many bumps in the road. Your struggle in life is over, enjoy the comfort and contentment in the arms of the lord.
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