Roberta S Baldwin

Roberta attended Camp Hill public schools and graduated from Chatham University (then called Pennsylvania College for Women) in 1947 with a BA degree in English and a minor in Theater.

Upon graduation The Patriot-News hired her as the very first woman ad executive in their Retail Advertising Department. In the 1980’s she took over the movie theater chains and major amusement accounts. She also wrote a weekly column, "Let’s go shopping with Susie," promoting downtown Harrisburg retailers. For many years she held positions in The Advertising Federation of Central Pennsylvania.

Roberta was active in the theater in college and later, locally, both on stage and behind the scenes. She was the current and past president of the Camp Hill Civic Club, and a member of the Art Association and a consistent patron of the arts.

An enthusiastic supporter of her Alma Mater, Chatham University, Roberta was one of the leadership donors who made it possible in 2004 to open The Chatham Art and Design Center, which is not only a show place for students’ art work, but offers studio space for paint, print, and ceramics, and class room areas. She was also a member of the school’s Woodland Circle and the Dilworth Society.

But of all her many activities right up to last week, probably her favorite pastime was traveling. She has been many times to every continent except Antarctica, most often with her second husband Russell, and since his death in 1994, alone or with travel companions or groups.

Roberta, an only child, is survived by her beloved cat, Dexter; step daughter Bonnie Kress (and husband Bill) of Raleigh, NC; cousins; Peter Swann (and wife Patria) of Westport, CT; Barbara Tuttle of Monson, MA; and Sherwood Swann (and wife Merry) of Newport, NC. Special thanks to her many friends, especially Marian Lindsay and Jill Williamson, just to name two.

Visitation will be at the Neill Funeral Home, 3401 Market Street, Camp Hill, at 10 AM, Tuesday, August 24, immediately followed by a funeral service there at 11 AM.

If desired, memorial contributions may be sent to Chatham University, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15232; or to the Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 311, Mechanicsburg, PA 17955-0311.