Roberta Harrison

CHAMPAIGN - Roberta Lee Harrison was born at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria on June 16, 1944, to Robert Myron and Irma Arnold Harrison.

She passed away Thursday (Dec. 12, 2024).

Roberta spent most of her childhood in Mt. Morris and later graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange in 1962. She graduated from the University of Illinois College of ACES in child development in 1966. She received an M.S. degree from Oregon State University in 1969 and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in early childhood education in 1978. She taught at the Child Development Laboratory at the University of Illinois and enjoyed training teachers to teach young children. She believed education was a lifelong process.

After working on several university grants, she became a Realtor and spent 18 years helping buyers to buy and sellers to sell. Upon retirement, she was given a life membership in the Champaign County Association of Realtors.

She spent many hours volunteering with child development programs and served on the board of trustees for the Wesley Foundation for 12 years. She enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states. On retirement, she spent eight winters in Gulf Shores, Ala., with her significant other, Larry Dornacker, who survives.

She is survived by her brother, Arnold Harrison of South Charleston, W.Va., and a cousin who made her home with Roberta's family, Faye Valbert (Paul) of Hendersonville, N.C. To Faye's three children, she was Aunt Berta, Jenny Cramer (Brian) of St. Augustine, Fla., Andy Valbert (Nathalie) of Steimel, Germany, and Amanda Valbert of Charlotte, N.C. She is also survived by numerous other cousins. She will be missed by many.

Donations may be given to the Wesley Food Pantry, 1203 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801.

Graveside services and interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.