Roberta E. McCreary

Roberta E. "Nina" Haden McCreary, age 94, of Erie, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2015, peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, at her home. Roberta had been lovingly cared for by her daughter Kathy and her dedicated care givers.

Roberta was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on August 20, 1921, the daughter of the late Julian C. and Helen Burrell Haden.

She was a graduate of Northfield School for Girls and received her RN degree from Springfield Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield Massachusetts.

She met John McCreary while he was attending Springfield College. They married in 1942 then moved back to John's hometown of Erie, where John went to work at his family-owned business, McCreary Roofing Company.

Roberta enjoyed being a wife and raising their four children. She then continued her education by earning her Bachelor's of Science Degree from Edinboro State College and graduating Summa Cum Laude. She then earned her Master's Degree in Education from Gannon University. In 1966, she started at Hamot Hospital as a staff nurse, became head nurse of the ICU, was the coordinator of Inservice Education and became the Assistant Director of Nursing followed by the Director of Nursing. She also worked as a nursing instructor at Tech High School, and in 1978, became an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Behrend College.

Roberta was a dedicated member of her church. She found great joy in gardening, knitting and reading. Her true passion was her painting.

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, John, her sisters, Phyllis and Marilynn and her brother-in-law, Ben McCreary.

Survivors include daughters, Christine (Billy) Kapololu of Hawaii and Kathleen Freeman of Erie, sons, Geoff (Sue) McCreary of North East and Greg (Marcia) of Erie, seven grandchildren, Justin McCreary, Ryan (Melissa), Elizabeth (Michael) Esser, Geoffrey Hulten, Casey Bautista, Morgan Kapololu, and Patrick (Rachel) McCreary, as well as nine great-grandchildren.

The family would also like to give special thanks to Lakeland Hospice for their recent care and compassion for Roberta.

Because Roberta had great compassion for others, memorials may be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen, 218 E. 11th St., Erie, PA 16503 or The City Mission, 1023 French St., Erie, PA 16501.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, at Burton Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 602 W. 10th Street, and are invited to a service there on Thursday at 10 a.m., with Pastor Rick Crocker and Paul DeSante officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. To send condolences, please visit www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.

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