N. Roberta Howson

FITCHBURG: N. Roberta (Rossman) Howson, 91, a longtime Fitchburg resident died Friday, August 22, 2025 at Health Alliance – Leominster Hospital. Her husband of 55 years, Thomas H. Howson, Jr. died in October 2010. Roberta was born in Knox, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1934, a daughter of Earl E. and Viola B. (McGinnis) Rossman and moved to Fitchburg nearly 70 years ago. Roberta had worked at Acacia Insurance Company in Washington, DC before working as the Assistant Manager at Piece Goods in Leominster. Most recently as a sales associate at Michael's Art & Crafts Supply in Leominster before her retirement in 2021. A member of the Material Girls Quilt Guild, Roberta was an avid and talented quilter, who had many of her pieces published. She attended the Rollstone Congregational Church in Fitchburg. She leaves her son, Thomas H. Howson III and his partner, Alisa Struthers of Townsend; two daughters, Roberta J. Blanchette of Leominster, Debra J. Blanchette and her husband, Alan of Georgia, seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by her son in law, Robert Blanchette in 2020 and was the sister of the late Carmen Brown of Alabama, Kenneth Rossman of Pennsylvania, Carol Griffin and Jeanne Menke both of Maryland. Roberta's family will receive relatives and friends at a visitation period on Wednesday, August 27 from 3:00 – 5:00pm at the Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg. A prayer service will begin at 5:00pm. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.andersonfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution in Roberta's name to the ALS Foundation at www.als.org