Roberta Van Der Molen

Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Samuel and Ruth “Rose” (Cohen) Van Der Molen, she had lived in Providence for over fifty years.

A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Class of 1964, she studied in Rome as part of the honors program at RISD and was a student of plein air painting method. Ms. Van Der Molen was a devoted art teacher in the Providence School Department for over twenty years before retiring. A lifelong, gifted and talented artist, print maker and painter, Roberta was a long-time member of both the Providence Art Club and Wickford Art Association. She enjoyed spending time in Cape Cod, painting outside, hiking, camping, cooking, baking and she especially loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by: her daughter, Samantha Hirsch and her husband Joseph Traynor of Providence; two grandsons, Vaughn Zealand Traynor and Paxton Rae Traynor; her former husband, Carl Hirsch and her cousin, Rona Davis and her husband Mike. She was the sister of the late Peter and Eileen Van Der Molen.

Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral service Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM at

Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, 458 Hope Street, Providence. The family will receive guest from 10:00 to 11:00 AM prior to the service. Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016