Roberta V Leeds

There are traditional obituaries that list a decedent’s historical background, accomplishments and family ties. There are also entertaining and honest accountings which result in spontaneous laughter and memories, amusement, guilt, love, gratitude and major appreciation for a long and colorful life, well-lived. These character traits then, are what I most remember and hope to convey about the one known as Roberta V. Leeds (our mother, sister, cousin, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother):

Her passionate work ethic, self discipline and fierce love of life;

Her youthful zeal, natural beauty, enduring femininity, and red hair;

Her strength, courage, and consistent sense of humor;

Her generosity, intelligence, creative genius, and love for all things musical, artistic & cultural;

Her stamina and ability to endure enormous hardships and physical pain;

Her teeny tiny, and oh so very neat handwriting;

Her commitment to the notion that all people are created equal and the resulting activism and political debates;

Her voracious appetite (that girl could EAT);

Her tireless volunteering with hospice, homeless shelters and more;

Her enthusiasm for tennis & golf matches, the Kentucky Derby, and the Olympics.

Her directness! Her candid, outspoken “take no prisoner” affect;

Her tenacious, doggedly determined approach to projects, facts, and circumstances….

ALL of this was who she was, while she was also vulnerable, hardest on herself, always self-reflecting, correcting and making amends. Like all of us, she made mistakes, and evolved as she aged. She literally touched thousands of people’s lives through her different careers and volunteering. Such was the complicated and rich personality, also known recently to aides, home health workers and group home house-mates simply as “Bertie”.

As the comedian George Carlin once said, “Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally used up and worn out, shouting Wo'hoo,'Man, what a ride!” I like to think Roberta felt this at the end when I was with her, although she was more likely thinking, “OK then --- let’s get on with it since apparently I HAVE to go. On to the Next Great Adventure. ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE!!”

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Roberta Vera Leeds was born to David and Fanny Mistlin on March 16th, 1923 in Clapham Junction, near St. John’s Hill in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Only a few years before, World War I had concluded with the Treaty of Versailles (in 1919) and the Great Influenza Pandemic had ended (in 1920). Her family moved to a number of English cities and towns during her childhood including Devon and Brighton. She had 3 siblings. Her two sisters (now deceased) were Monica and Bette. She is survived by her brother, Tony Mistlin, now residing in Modesto, CA.

In 1939, the determined 16 year old Roberta learned Morse code, and made her way to Plymouth in spite of her father’s objections. Her tenacity did not go unnoticed, and she was inducted into the Women’s Royal Navy, destined to become a radio operator during WWII. After initial training in Dundee, Scotland, she was redeployed to Larne, Ireland. It was during her time here that Roberta first met a charming American soldier named Sol Liebowitz (AKA Robert S. Leeds). In 1945, after WWII ended, Roberta left the United Kingdom to marry her American soldier and to start a brand new life in the United States. This was no easy task -- It would take 3 grueling days to fly from England to America.

Roberta and Bob Leeds first lived in New York and Long Island where they gave birth to 3 children – Steven, Terry and Karen. They later moved to Miami, Florida, where Bob held a series of jobs, and Roberta eventually went to work for South Florida PBS broadcasting as a very successful fundraiser. After 33 years of marriage, they parted ways, and during the early 1980’s, Roberta made her way to Santa Fe, NM. It was there that Roberta was able to focus on deep reflection and personal growth. During her 30 years in Santa Fe, Roberta truly thrived and blossomed, finding serenity, joy, strength, independence and meaning.

Roberta started volunteering at El Rancho De Las Golondrinas, a living historical museum and working ranch from the 1700’s, located south of Santa Fe. Eventually she was hired on permanently by Los Golondrinas, where she remained active for many years, working in sales, event coordination, managing volunteers, as well as site rentals and film production. She retired at the age of 83 although she still helped capture statistics during later events. At the same time she worked at the ranch, she also was very active as a hospice volunteer sitting by hundreds of peoples’ bedsides as they transitioned. She continued working with hospice until 2013, when health concerns caused her to relocate to Phoenix, AZ to be near her daughter and son-in-law. Roberta passed away peacefully around 1:30 am on Saturday, February 3rd. She was 94 years old.

SURVIVORS

Roberta is survived by:

• Her brother, Tony Mistlin

• Her children, Karen Leeds, Terry Leeds and Steven Leeds (and their spouses) Larry Schwartz, Linda Leeds, (their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren) David Leeds, Lisa Renda & David Sohinzo, Kristin Schwartz & Aric Cook, Brooklyn, Brett, Cade, Cole, Kayla, Liam, Declan, Sarah, Sienna

• Her nieces / nephews, Gary Mistlin, Gala Lindvall, and Melody Mistlin, (their spouses, children and grandchildren) Brian Lindvall, Steve Rude, Kyle, Eric, Amy Beth, Anna and offspring

• Additional Nieces / Nephews USA -- Joanne, Adam, Mitchell, Mattie, Merrill, Michael and their children.

• Additional Nieces / Cousins Europe – Annabel Jackson, Amanda Jackson (and Howie), Rebecca, Ben, Siv, Georgina Abrahams, Beverley Jackson (and Heleen), Emma, Maarten, Hannah, Zoe, Tessa, Darius, Romaine, Bernice

LIFE CELEBRATIONS:

Sunday May 6, 2018, 2 pm

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

334 Los Pinos Rd.

Santa Fe, NM 87507

RSVP to Karen Leeds 602-321-0219

Saturday, May 12, 2018, 2 pm

The Beaititudes Campus, Agelink Room

1650 W. Glendale Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85021

RSVP to Karen Leeds 602-321-0219

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS:

If you would like to honor Roberta’s memory, please consider donating a small amount in her name to one or more of these wonderful organizations:

The Hospice Center

http://www.pmsnm.org/services/hospice

Mary Ann Andrews, Volunteer Coordinator

1400 Chama Ave,

Santa Fe, NM 87505

Direct Line: (505) 954-2376

Main Phone: (505) 988-2211

Brennan School of Innovative Lymphatic Studies

https://lymphedematraining.com/about/

Dr. Andrea Brennan

10748 East Hope Drive

Scottsdale, AZ 85259

480-695-0813

PayPal or Venmo – [email protected]

El Rancho De Las Golondrinas

https://golondrinas.org

334 Los Pinos Rd,

Santa Fe, NM 87507

(505) 471-2261