Obituary for Roberta Fifield (Pellegrino)
Roberta Fifield, known to many family and friends as Tina, of Lindenhurst, NY, passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on March 8th, 2023 at the age of 79.
Roberta was born at Lenox Hill Hospital on March 28th, 1943, and spent her childhood in Queens, NY. She was a 1961 graduate of William Cullen Bryant High School. Roberta spent most of her adult life and raised her children in Lindenhurst, NY. She was an active congregant of Our Lady of Perpetual Church and her faith was a guidepost in her life, making her unfailingly generous, nurturing, open-minded, and not just tolerant, but accepting of all. Those who love Roberta take solace in knowing that her deep faith gave her comfort in the final days of her life.
Roberta was a woman who cared deeply for family. Her late mother and father, Elizabeth and Pasquale, were immigrants from Hungary and Italy respectively. She grew up with her parents, three siblings, John, and the late Mary and Pasquale, and a Chow named Princess, who she included when recounting her family members. When recalling memories of her childhood, Roberta said that every memory with “mama” was a good memory, but what she remembers most was her always being present and her cooking (especially her famous oatmeal cookies).
Roberta was the self-described troublemaker of the family, being outspoken and independent, especially as she matured into young adulthood. Her first job was modeling for various stores and restaurants, which was all fun and games “until her earring fell in the soup” and she learned her only payment was a loaf of pumpernickel bread. After graduating high school, she took a job as a legal secretary. It was during this time that she met her late husband, Richard, when he spilled a drink on her at the Army Pictorial Center.
Roberta and Richard were married for a year and half when their first son Richard was born. He was followed soon after by the birth of their next children, Christina and Robert. Roberta said it felt like she had triplets and she would do it all over again exactly the same way if she had the choice. After all three were born, they moved to Lindenhurst. After her father passed away, Roberta’s mother and sister, Mary, moved to Long Island as well. This brought the family closer, and she was able to be with her mother when she passed away.
In addition to her biological children, Roberta selflessly helped to raise her brother Pasquale’s daughter, Linda, who lived with her for a time. In her later life, she was an active and involved grandmother who provided a steadfast support system to her grandchildren, who affectionately know her as Nonna. Even those who weren’t Roberta’s grandchildren refer to her as Nonna, honoring the maternal influence she had in many lives. She also adopted two fur-babies, Cocoa and Alex, who she remembered with a great fondness following their passing.
Roberta is commemorated by her brother, John, her children, Richard, Christina, and Robert, daughters-in-law, Kathy and Lisa, her grandchildren, Triston, Alexandra, Peyton, Max, Isabella, Faythe, Aidan, and Logan, and her great-grandchild, Crew, along with several other close family members and friends who will carry on the torch of her memory. Roberta will always be remembered by those who loved her as tenacious, funny, smart, imaginative, and generous with her love, affection, and time. She will be deeply missed, but those who love her know she is at peace and happy to be with her late family and fur-babies in heaven.
Roberta’s family and friends will honor her memory at the Lindenhurst Funeral Home (424 S Wellwood Ave, Lindenhurst, NY 11757) on Monday, March 13th from 4:00-7:00 pm. This will be followed by a funeral mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (210 S Wellwood Ave, Lindenhurst, NY 11757) on Tuesday, March 14th at 9:45 am with a burial service at Calvary Cemetery immediately following. All physical condolences to the family should be sent to Lindenhurst Funeral Home.
Roberta was born at Lenox Hill Hospital on March 28th, 1943, and spent her childhood in Queens, NY. She was a 1961 graduate of William Cullen Bryant High School. Roberta spent most of her adult life and raised her children in Lindenhurst, NY. She was an active congregant of Our Lady of Perpetual Church and her faith was a guidepost in her life, making her unfailingly generous, nurturing, open-minded, and not just tolerant, but accepting of all. Those who love Roberta take solace in knowing that her deep faith gave her comfort in the final days of her life.
Roberta was a woman who cared deeply for family. Her late mother and father, Elizabeth and Pasquale, were immigrants from Hungary and Italy respectively. She grew up with her parents, three siblings, John, and the late Mary and Pasquale, and a Chow named Princess, who she included when recounting her family members. When recalling memories of her childhood, Roberta said that every memory with “mama” was a good memory, but what she remembers most was her always being present and her cooking (especially her famous oatmeal cookies).
Roberta was the self-described troublemaker of the family, being outspoken and independent, especially as she matured into young adulthood. Her first job was modeling for various stores and restaurants, which was all fun and games “until her earring fell in the soup” and she learned her only payment was a loaf of pumpernickel bread. After graduating high school, she took a job as a legal secretary. It was during this time that she met her late husband, Richard, when he spilled a drink on her at the Army Pictorial Center.
Roberta and Richard were married for a year and half when their first son Richard was born. He was followed soon after by the birth of their next children, Christina and Robert. Roberta said it felt like she had triplets and she would do it all over again exactly the same way if she had the choice. After all three were born, they moved to Lindenhurst. After her father passed away, Roberta’s mother and sister, Mary, moved to Long Island as well. This brought the family closer, and she was able to be with her mother when she passed away.
In addition to her biological children, Roberta selflessly helped to raise her brother Pasquale’s daughter, Linda, who lived with her for a time. In her later life, she was an active and involved grandmother who provided a steadfast support system to her grandchildren, who affectionately know her as Nonna. Even those who weren’t Roberta’s grandchildren refer to her as Nonna, honoring the maternal influence she had in many lives. She also adopted two fur-babies, Cocoa and Alex, who she remembered with a great fondness following their passing.
Roberta is commemorated by her brother, John, her children, Richard, Christina, and Robert, daughters-in-law, Kathy and Lisa, her grandchildren, Triston, Alexandra, Peyton, Max, Isabella, Faythe, Aidan, and Logan, and her great-grandchild, Crew, along with several other close family members and friends who will carry on the torch of her memory. Roberta will always be remembered by those who loved her as tenacious, funny, smart, imaginative, and generous with her love, affection, and time. She will be deeply missed, but those who love her know she is at peace and happy to be with her late family and fur-babies in heaven.
Roberta’s family and friends will honor her memory at the Lindenhurst Funeral Home (424 S Wellwood Ave, Lindenhurst, NY 11757) on Monday, March 13th from 4:00-7:00 pm. This will be followed by a funeral mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (210 S Wellwood Ave, Lindenhurst, NY 11757) on Tuesday, March 14th at 9:45 am with a burial service at Calvary Cemetery immediately following. All physical condolences to the family should be sent to Lindenhurst Funeral Home.