Emmie Elizabeth Roberts

ROBERTS, EMMIE ELIZABETH (HERBERMANN), 87, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, formerly of Hickory Ridge Road, Rehoboth, died after a long illness on December 6, 2006 at The Tremont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Wareham, Massachusetts.

Born in the Bronx, New York, on November 25, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Henry F. Herbermann, Esq. and Ida Katherine (Pimm) Herbermann.

She graduated from Maplehurst Academy in 1938, and from Manhattanville College in 1942. She was a pre-med student with a double major in biology and chemistry. After graduation, she became the first female scientist to work for the now Bristol-Meyer Squibbs Corporation. Among her accomplishments there was work with the team of scientists that encapsulated penicillin. She declined Squibb's offer to build and manage a new laboratory in Atlanta, Georgia to marry James Herbert Roberts on May 26, 1945 at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle, New York. She left the field of science to raise her four daughters, whom she lovingly said were her greatest accomplishments.

Mrs. Roberts was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Seekonk, until her illness. A Marion Medal recipient, she was a Eucharistic Minister, a Sunday school teacher, and in charge of creating all floral arrangements in the church for many years.

Mrs. Roberts was a horticulturist and three-time 'best in show' winner in the Boston Flower Show. She trained as a Judge for Life and subsequently traveled as a judge to flower shows throughout New England. A member of the Rehoboth Garden Club since the early 1960s, she won many blue ribbons for her floral arrangements and plants in local and state shows. Her gardens and arrangements were photographed for calendars and daily planners. She discovered a new species of tree growing on the grounds of Mt. Carmel Church in Seekonk and named it after the church. For many years, she wrote a monthly column on seasonal plant care in the Rehoboth Reporter. Mrs. Roberts was also an avid fisherwoman whose favorite place to fish was Pierce Pond Camp in Maine.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 61 years, James Herbert Roberts; four daughters: Dr. Elizabeth Baer and her husband, Clinton of St. Peter, MN, Ms. Pamela Bonina and her husband, Ronald of Macungie, PA, Ms. Katherine Roberts-Gaudet and her husband, Philip of Mattapoisett, MA, and Dr. Mary Louise Roberts and her partner, Dr. Susan Zaeske of Madison, WI. She leaves eight grandchildren: Hester and Nathaniel Baer, Geoffrey and Emily Bonina, and Justin, Connor, Devon, and Charles Gaudet; and one great-grandchild, Della Rae Baer. She leaves her sisters Ada Mudd, Anne McGrath and her husband, Frank McGrath, and a brother, Charles Herbermann. She was sister of the late Elizabeth McEvoy, Mary Louise Parilla, and Ida Taylor.

Her funeral will begin Saturday at 8:30am from the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, 901 Broadway, East Providence, Rhode Island, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Taunton Ave., (Rte.#44), Seekonk. Burial will follow at the Rehoboth Village Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Friday from 5-7pm in the funeral home. The family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to Rehoboth Garden Club, c/o President Hoa Aldous, 161 Danforth St., Rehoboth, MA 02769, in lieu of flowers.