Roberta A. Trzcinski

Roberta Ann Trzcinski

March 23, 1940 - April 5, 2024

WATERVLIET/formerly AUBURN - Roberta "Bert" Ann (Hutchings) Trzcinski, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy with her twin daughters and family at her side.

She was born in Auburn, NY on March 23, 1940, to the late Robert William and Lottie (Fronczek) Hutchings. She graduated from Auburn Central High School in 1958 and was a proud member of "Club 58".

Bert worked for 42 years in the floral industry. She started at Shaw & Boehler Florist at the age of 16, where she developed a passion and love for flowers. Bert loved to design what she called the "product", but she also loved the customers she served, many becoming lifelong friends. It was a customer/friend Sister Peter, while working at Costentino's Florist in Auburn, who sent Bert on a blind date where she met the love of her life, Paul.

After she married Paul, she continued her career in the Capital District at Danker's Florist, Patrick's Florist, and retiring from Felthousen's Florist in 2000.

Bert and Paul's 50 years of marriage was a loving partnership. Bert woke up at dawn to make Paul breakfast and packed his lunch. In return Paul made meals, washed/ironed clothes and cleaned house during Bert's busy seasons. The twins were the center of Bert and Paul's life, their gifts from God.

As a devoted mother, Bert was their room mother at Maplewood Elementary School planning holiday parties that included hours of preparation. Bert was their Girl Scout leader (with Paul by her side). She attended every sporting event, dance performance, school function and mothered all the twins' friends. Bert even devoted her time cutting and gluing crafts and designing costumes as the twins led Vacation Bible School and youth ministry nights.

Her Catholic faith was a vital part of her life. She was a very active communicant of St. Ambrose Church in Latham. She was a member and President of the Altar-Rosary Society, Hospitality Committee, and the Young at Heart Group. She decorated the church altar for years and after passing the torch to the twins would FaceTime the girls to give her seal of approval.

Her drive for volunteerism continued in her retirement. She was a member and President of the Colonie Senior Citizens Club (CSCC) devoting hours planning day trips where she and Paul shared fun adventures with friends. Bert sat on the Town of Colonie Senior Advisory Board and drove seniors to appointments through the Transportation Services. In 2010 the Town of Colonie awarded Bert "Volunteer of the Year." She was also a member and President of the Latham Women's Club and two Red Hat Societies (Red Hot Shots and the Spindle City Divas). Bert found great joy in volunteerism because she loved giving to others.

Bert had one additional passion and that was spending quality time with Paul and the twins. When the twins were toddlers, Paul and Bert purchased their first RV and as a family spent the next twenty-five years camping with friends at Alpine Lake Camping Resort. Additionally, Bert planned action packed vacations to Florida, Virginia, Washington, DC, Hawaii, Europe, and Bermuda.

Bert leaves behind her beloved "partner in life" Paul J. Trzcinski; loving and caring-giving twin daughters: Suzanne, and Sandra Trzcinski; and her sister/"BFF", Patricia Hall. Along with her parents she was predeceased by her brother, William Hutchings. Bert is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends.

Her funeral mass will be Monday, April 15, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ambrose Church, 347 Old Loudon Road, Latham with the Rev. Brian Kelly officiating. The mass will be lived streamed on St. Ambrose Media YouTube channel for family and friends who cannot attend. Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Latham. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet on Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 3:00-6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Ambrose Church (note "Altar Decor" in the memo line), 347 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110.