Nancy Lynn Roberts

Nancy Lynn Roberts passed away July 29, 2024 at the age of 75 in Alameda, California from complications of Alzheimer's disease. A loving wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, Nancy was adored by all who had the privilege to know her. She disliked nobody, and nobody disliked Nancy.

Nancy was born to Walter and Shirley Hutchinson on May 14, 1949 in Concord, California. Her love of books, reading, and learning started at a young age. Nancy graduated from Clayton Valley High School in 1967 and then went on to study at UC Santa Barbara where she graduated with an English major. Her professional career started as an English teacher at Dublin High School before moving closer to her first true love, books. At the Alameda Free Library, she served the community for several decades as a librarian and administrator of the Homebound program. Combining her strengths of thoughtfulness and literary knowledge, Nancy would curate books for each patron who could not physically visit the library. She received Christmas cards from her recipients, many of whom said her deliveries were the only thing that kept them going.

Nancy was married 49 years to the love of her life, husband Craig. They married and settled in Alameda. Their first dates included roller derby and a hockey game (Craig did the planning early on).

They had son Glen in 1981 and daughter Corinne in 1985. She served as PTA president, attended every track meet and soccer game, helped with homework, and read books before bedtime. She asked her kids about their day over dinner, which she cooked and served every day at 6pm sharp. For 3-4 months out of the year, Craig's job took him overseas, requiring Nancy to do all of the above single-handed, yet she was never tired or flustered. While she was heavily involved in her children's lives, she also raised them to be independent and hard-working adults.

Nancy had two young grand-daughters, Avery (5) and Ellis (almost 3), and two young grandsons, Walter (4) and Nolan (almost 2). Her time with them was cut tragically short by her illness. She would have been the most wonderful grandmother and her grandchildren will be raised knowing the mark their "Grammy" had on everyone around her.

One of her defining personality traits was her witty sense of humor, which often contained grammar or vocabulary themes. Her creativity was displayed in everything, from a riddle tagged onto a quick email to the custom invitations to her annual cookie party. Although generally soft-spoken, Nancy wasn't shy about her love of chocolate and ice cream (preferably together). Perhaps the greatest testament to Nancy's character was the longevity and variety of her female friendships. Nancy remained close with her best high school girlfriends, including European adventures together as recently as 2017. Over the last few decades, Nancy formed lasting friendships through shared interests including bridge, cooking, walking, and of course, books. Many of her friends were regular visitors at her bedside up through her final days.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Craig, two children Glen and Corinne, their spouses Bonnie and Jason, four grandchildren Avery, Walter, Ellis, and Nolan, and brother John. She was sister-in-law to Suzanne Hutchinson, Julie Roberts, Lee Roberts, and Donald Gutleben, and loving aunt to their children.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at the Harbor Bay Community Center at 3195 Mecartney Road in Alameda at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in remembrance of Nancy Roberts to the Alameda Free Library: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E354345&id=42