At the age of 3, after the death of her father, she was raised in Harahan, La., living with her mother and three older brothers.
Shirley was educated at Harahan Elementary and graduated from Kenner High School, after which she later married Richard J. Robert, Sr., now deceased. She was also preceded in death by her 3 brothers, Paul, Warren, and Lawrence and her daughter, Paulette Gebhardt, sons-in-law, Lee John Gould and Ricky Gebhardt and sisters-in-law, Amy and Rena Marie Biri. She was the loving mother of Richard J. Robert Jr., Janice Huff, Loretta Gould (Joe Caruana), Sheila Marriott (Richard), and Renee Oestriecher (Barry); also proud Grandmother of ten, sixteen great, and two great-great grandchildren.
As a product of the Great Depression, Shirley sought to provide her children with the best life possible. Aspiring to own her own business one day, her dream was realized in 1966, when together, Shirley and Richard, seized the opportunity to purchase a sno-ball stand in Harahan. After initial years of great diligence and determination, Ro-Bear’s Sno-Ball and Soft Serve became a reality. As one of the premier sno-ball stands in the Metro New Orleans area, Ro-Bear’s continues to delight the Harahan community with tasty treats.
Shirley also leaves behind her special cat, Boo, the light of her life for the past 17 years.
Shirley gave thanks to God in her everyday life and prayed for her family and friends daily. Known as “Ms. Ro-Bear”, she will be sadly missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept.142, Memphis, TN. 38148
Services will be private.
