From an interview with Gabriel F. Golla, these are things Gabriel remembers about "Betty":
Betty was a good cook.
I liked her chicken adobo, and leche flan.
I taught her how to cook beef stroganoff, Parmesan chicken and (make) cranberry sauce.
When I got sick, she gave me cough medicine.
I remember she liked to grow corn.
She liked to grow peas, string beans, potatoes and carrots.
She liked growing tulips.
She was a caring, loving mother.
"I will always love you, I will miss you."
Gabriel was 25 years old when Betty became his step mother and lived with her until February 2017.

Roberta and I became first time mothers in the same year (1979).  Sharing our experiences as mothers brought us closer together and that closeness influenced Nicky’s and Tiana’s relationship which remains close to this day. 
Roberta’s attention and care she gave my Dad in his later years demonstrated her profound love for him and the rest of the family.  She enjoyed taking to task each family member’s birthday, graduation, anniversary etc.  It was important to her to make everyone happy, as well as to give comfort and support.
Roberta’s battles and recoveries from cancer was a heartbreaking experience, but she did not allow that to define her legacy.  Instead, she showed us how to persevere with dignity and grace. She was a living example of being “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:9-12).  Her spiritual courage was truly admirable.  Roberta, you shall forever remain in my heart. Thank you for all the wonderful memories.  I will miss you and love you always.


Roberta is my step mother in law, the second wife to Captain Nick S. Golla and thus the step mother of my wife Edna F. Golla.
In 1978, I learned Captain Nick was taking another wife and she was arriving soon.  Who was she?  Of course, knowing the captain, she would be a woman of virtue and probably well educated.  She was all that and more.  She was an independent woman, a teacher and she was content, not in search of a husband.
Shortly after her arrival, she became pregnant which, was a surprise to me.  I did not think the Captain wanted another child.  I thought, my gosh, Edna is pregnant with our first child and Captain Nick was 60, I may have to help care for his child too.  Of course that was totally unfounded as Captain Nick lived to be 97.  He and Roberta raised their son Nicky and helped care for my daughter Tiana and later my 2nd daughter Aubrey as well.  They were wonderful parents and grandparents.When Roberta allowed her hair to become all white several years ago, I was reminded how beautiful and wonderful she was.  When she introduced me as “my son in law Tony”, I would add, “The favorite son in law!”  I was also her only son in law.  She would laugh and say, “Yes, my favorite son in law”.  This became our standing joke and every time she said it, I felt she was saying how much she cared for me.  When she asked me to fix something around her house or to drive her to a doctor’s appointment, I was happy to do it.  She told me once that when I came around, I always made things better.  It is nice to be someone’s favorite.Roberta, I thought you would be around much longer but I am glad for the good times we did have.  It is fortunate that we had the time to drive to Arches National Park for the wedding of Aubrey and Alex before your cancer took its toll.
I will love you forever and miss you greatly.


OBITUARY

Roberta Pangilinan Golla

June 7, 1942 – November 25, 2019

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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