Ronda Ellin Roby

NEWTON – Ronda Ellin Roby, 65, passed away March 3, 2015 at Catawba Regional Hospice. Ronda was born June 5, 1949 in Hackensack N.J. to the late Richard Edward Roby and Thelma Irene Bogert Roby. Ronda was a member Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church of Paterson, NJ. She graduated in 1967 from Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, New Jersey. She also graduated from the Berkely School of Business in New Jersey in 1969. Upon graduating she held executive assistant positions in Northern New Jersey area at Yardley’s, Toshiba, and GAF Corporation. As a “Gift of Life” kidney recipient, Ronda always celebrated life and dedicated herself to her community. Ronda lived her faith and considered it a privilege to dedicate her life to meeting the needs of others. Following her transplant, she served as a volunteer helping others to deal with the realities of transplants. Ronda helped to successfully lobby for donor recognition on the NJ Driver license. Ronda co-founded the New Jersey chapter of the Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO). While working for New Jersey Public Health, in 1996, Ms. Roby produced, "Faces Behind the Ribbon", a video about the AIDS Epidemic and discrimination. Ronda was a key organizer of a “Motivational Day” for NY / NJ Athletics in Action. The event was hosted by the NY Giants, held at their training camp and attended by 300 young men with the goal to inspire these at-risk youth to make good life choices. Ronda also volunteered her fundraising services in NJ at The Good Shepherd Mission, a men’s addition program and shelter in Paterson, New Jersey. As the Manager of Resource Services for STAR of Hope Ministries Ronda was commended for her hard work, integrity, passion and commitment to helping those in need. She was noted for her “pit bull” tenacity. Upon moving to North Carolina, Ronda found employment and the opportunity to serve as Cooperative Christian Ministry of Hickory, NC. Most recently, Classroom Connections, a local non-profit offering free resources to teachers benefited from her service, insight and encouragement. Surviving is her son, Otis Moore of Sandusky, Ohio; sister Robin Roby and her partner Nicole Valette of Sparta, NJ; niece Alyse James; great niece Makayla Conklin; sister, Randi Miner and husband, Arthur of Califon, N.J.; nephew, William Miner; brother, Robert Roby of New Orleans, LA and her fur babies, Sarah and Jonah. Remembrances may be made online at www.hickoryfh.com .A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 26 at 3:00PM at Bethel United Church of Christ, 4547 Bethel Church Road, Hickory, NC 28602. The family will receive friends following the service in the church family life center. Please let us know if you plan on attending the service.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Classroom Connections, 4547 Bethel Church Road Hickory, NC 28602 or online at www.classroomconnectionsnc.org.

If you plan to attend Memorial Service please send an email to [email protected] , have Ronda Roby Memorial in subject line.