Roberta Barron

Though she had not called it home in decades, Roberta Barron, née Yellin, was a New Yorker through and through. Born and raised in New York City, she carried its strength, intelligence, and unmistakable style with her wherever she went.

After graduating from the Bronx High School of Science, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Connecticut College, including a formative junior year at UCLA, where she spent cherished time with her dear cousins and developed a lasting affection for California. In another era, she might well have pursued a career in law or politics, ambitions that were difficult for women to realize in the 1950s and 1960s. Still, her intellectual curiosity and strong convictions remained lifelong hallmarks.

She began her professional career as a public relations writer at Time magazine in New York. While still living at home with her parents, she met the love of her life, Harold, on a blind date. Though Harold was from Detroit, which she liked to joke was a nonstarter for a true New Yorker, they fell deeply in love and were married just six months after they met, beginning a remarkable 62-year marriage. They eventually settled in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where they raised their two children, Lawrence (Larry) and Jean. Those years were marked by good health, treasured friendships, and memories she recalled with great joy.

In 1983, the family moved to Chicago. There, Roberta pursued graduate studies at Loyola University, earning a master’s degree in industrial relations. She went on to found her own management consulting firm, Barron Associates, a testament to her drive, intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit.

She returned to California in her 50s, when it became a second home, spending decades with Harold in the desert communities of La Quinta and Indian Wells. No matter where she was, she never missed Larry or Jean’s birthday if she could help it, traveling wherever they were to celebrate with them. Being a wife, mother, and grandmother were the roles she cherished most and that brought her the greatest happiness.

Roberta was loyal, kind, and generous. She was deeply charitable and gave freely of her time and resources to the causes and people she cared about. She carried herself with quiet poise and refined elegance, never seeking attention. Yet her beauty never went unnoticed, even bringing modeling invitations from fashion houses such as the former Sabrina in Bloomfield Hills and Paul Stuart in Chicago.

Throughout her 85 years, she shared her love of New York City with her family and treasured the memories of her annual mother-daughter trips to the city with Jean to visit her mother, herself a true New Yorker. A lifelong reader and writer, she loved literature and film, especially The Arts Club lunchtime film series she enjoyed with her son-in-law, Gary. She and Harold traveled extensively, with Italy and many European destinations holding special meaning. Art, conversation, and ideas animated her life, as did her book clubs and enduring friendships.

Roberta was the cherished daughter of Roslyn and Irving Yellin; the beloved wife of Harold S. Barron; the devoted mother of Larry Barron and Jean Metzler, née Barron; the extraordinary mother-in-law of Gary Metzler; and the adoring grandmother of Reed Metzler, who she proudly boasted shares her dimple. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her son.

Her strength, grace, intellect, and devotion to family will be remembered always.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roberta’s memory may be made to the Weizmann Institute of Science.