Roberta Anne Dunlop

After a brief battle with cancer, it is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Roberta Anne Dunlop (née MacDougall) at the age of 75. Her loss is deeply felt by the many who knew and loved her.

Roberta passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved sons and dear friends—both old and new—making jokes until her final moments.

Born in Nokomis, Saskatchewan, Roberta spent her early years moving across the prairies as her father’s work with the bank took the family to different communities. She formed lasting friendships along the way—especially in Souris, Manitoba. Winnipeg became her home in her teenage years and remained so for the rest of her life.

Roberta’s was not an easy life, but it was defined by extraordinary resilience. She faced three separate cancer diagnoses, each at the time understood to be terminal—first in 1979, again in 2010, and most recently. Ill health cast a long shadow, yet she met it with a stubborn optimism, always believing she would recover and feel better soon.

She was completely devoted to her family, and her greatest joy came from being a mother. She took immense pride in her two sons, Drew and Derek, and in seeing them grow into educated and accomplished adults, and in being a grandmother to Logan and Stella. Her care extended across generations—she gave herself fully to the long-term care of her parents, Loreen and Duncan, and her Aunt Ann. She will be missed by her siblings, Doug, Frank, and Elizabeth; her extended family; and her many dear friends.

Roberta had a natural instinct to connect with people. She could strike up a conversation anywhere—at the grocery store, in a checkout line, or while running errands—and often came away with a new friend. She loved unplanned adventures and was always ready to say yes to something unexpected. Some of the quieter moments she cherished just as much—napping with her schnauzer, Max, or letting conversations linger over coffee, lunch, or afternoon tea.

She worked for many years at the Bank of Montreal, where she found a strong sense of community that stayed with her. She also devoted herself to helping others, volunteering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, and most recently at Grace Hospital, where she found great pleasure in meeting patients and offering help where it was needed.

She was remarkably capable—at ease with crafts and home repair, from crocheting and baking to tiling and electrical work. Although she never became a teacher by profession, she always wanted to be one and carried that instinct throughout her life, sharing her knowledge, skills, and strong work ethic. She took great pride in the home she created—thoughtfully arranged and often filled with family and friends gathered around a meal she had prepared.

Her Scottish ancestry and the family history it carried were deeply important to her. She cherished time in the Whiteshell—where days were spent transforming freshly picked blueberries into treats, playing cards late into the night, watching her sons make sandcastle “emergencies,” and hiking to the “alligator pits.”

She will be remembered for her resilience, kindness, and great generosity, as well as her excellent sense of humour and quick wit. With a sharp, observant eye and a genuine love of people, she noticed the small things and had a way of making others feel known.