Roberta Ruth Boyd

June 5, 1944 - February 27, 2026

Born to Kenneth R. and Geraldine Boyd, the day before D Day, 1944 and named for her mother's brother and her father's mother, Roberta was fifth generation San Franciscan, on her mother's side. On her father's side, she was a descendant of Stephen Hopkins who left England in 1609 aboard the ship Sea Venture, and who landed in Jamestown in 1610, was a passenger on the Mayflower landing in Plymouth in 1620. She was a descendant of Revolutionary War Patriot, Jacob Schmidt. Her great great grandfather Jerome Warden served the Union Army during the US Civil War. Her great grandfather, John Boyd emigrated from Scotland, via Ireland, in the 1800s.

Roberta spent her youth in the Richmond District of San Francisco, and in Camp Meeker, in the summers. She studied ballet with Ballet Celeste and at age of 12 was invited to join the London Ballet. She remained in San Francisco and studied ballet and belly dancing with Mrs. Hunter. In 1961 she became Miss Camp Meeker and the first Queen of the Russian River.

She was alumni of parochial schools in San Francisco, Presidio Junior High , George Washington High School and a graduate of John Adams Adult School. She took classes at various higher education institutions, as well as short hand reporting courses in San Francisco. In later years she worked for the American Water works Association and the San Francisco Water Department.

Being raised in a Union home, political awareness and volunteerism was part and parcel of their life. Not one to cross a picket line, she volunteered In The early days of the Farm Workers' boycotts. As a young mother, was a Den Mother for Boy Scouts, she protested the Vietnam War, she served in office with the Judean Society of the By Area. She was proud to have volunteered with political campaigns, and interacted with the Marin County Board of Supervisors and various California State Legislators.

Travels with parents took her across the USA. In adulthood, she lived in Marin County, San Diego County, Alameda County, San Joaquin County and Tuolumne County. She loved to spend time in Hawaii. She visited Tibet and Italy.
Roberta was predeceased by her mother, Geraldine O'Connell Boyd, her father, Kenneth R. Boyd, her sister, Lisbeth A. Boyd McHenry, her brother Norman F. Boyd, her son Edward M Johnston II, niece Judith McHenry, and grandniece Ari Bryant; former husband, Edward M. Johnston Sr.

She is survived by her sister Lauren Boyd McLachlan (Kevin), her children, Karen Wonacott (Scott), Kenneth Johnston (Maria), and Heather Cass (Brian); grand children, Krystal Pronske, Noel and Knina Wonacott; Blake and Barrett Cass; great grand children Kaelen Hasselbach, Gerald III and Conrad Martin; nieces and nephews Maribeth Cooke, TJ McCausland (Sherri), Kathy Wiley Scott (Les), David McHenry (Kirsten) and Cheyenne Rama; grand nieces and nephews Thaddeus J McCausland, Joseph J. and Kevin Cooke, Katelyn Meares (James),Meghan Scott, Cameron Scott, and Madeline Rosenbaum, and great grand niece Amelia Meares. She is also survived by cousins and friends, especially her dear friend Terry Cameron "T LC"

Her life defined not by loss or love lost, but by persistence, tenacity, and integrity. She proved that a great life isn't about avoiding pain or finding perfect love—it's about continuing to put one foot in front of the other.

Roberta died at home and was surrounded by family during her last weeks of life. The family is grateful to Hospice and caregivers who took such wonderful care of her during her illness. It was Roberta's desire to donate her body to science. Her wishes have been honored. At this time, there is no information regarding a celebration of life.