Roberta Louise Shearer

Roberta Louise Shearer, born January 9, 1945, in Denver, Colorado, passed away at age 80. She was the daughter of Carl and Anne Shearer and one of 12 siblings, five of whom preceded her in death. Roberta was part of a close-knit, large extended family. Roberta's life was a tapestry of love, integrity and conviction.

In the early 1960s, Roberta moved to San Francisco where she adopted her beloved parrot, Shardick, who was her companion until his death in 2018. In 1976, she moved to rural northern New Mexico, seeking a life closer to nature and family. There she welcomed her children, Nathan and Donna. In 1991, she relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she worked at St. Vincent Hospital. Life later brought her back to Edgewater, Colorado, to be near her aging parents and college-aged daughter. Roberta retired from The Denver Hospice in 2011 to spend more time with her grandsons-Xavier, Gavin, Braiden, Trevin, and Rylen. For the last nine years, she lived with Donna, her husband Mike, and their sons, playing an integral role in a multigenerational family. She was known for her devotion to her children, her Buddhist faith, and her commitment to causes promoting peace and equality. She cherished time with her grandsons, crafted intricate Ukrainian eggs, loved birds, was an exceptional baker, and enjoyed long walks–talking to children she met along the way.

Roberta's Buddhist path began in 1991 when she met His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 2006, she became a dedicated student of Buddhism, and on July 4, 2025, she fulfilled a long-held aspiration by taking the formal vows of a Bodhisattva to live with compassion and work for the benefit of all beings, receiving the name Nyingje Gamo-Joyful Compassionate One .

A memorial service will be held on August 24 at 1:00 p.m. at the Red Barn in Golden Gate State Park. Words from the family will be at 1:30. Per Roberta's explicit wishes, everyone who wishes to attend is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Campaign for Tibet or Doctors Without Borders.