Roberta Marion Shade, (nee Burgess) a resident of Severna Park for 63 years, passed away on October 3, 2020 due to natural causes at the age of 96. Roberta was born and raised during "The Depression" in South Baltimore's Locust Point just a few blocks away from Fort McHenry. After High School she worked in a fabric factory, and was quickly promoted to work in the Payroll Office because she was "really good" at math, and could figure out how to use the new and complex Victor mechanical "adding machine". Roberta loved to sing in 2-part harmony with her sister Dorothy while their mother, Anna Rost Burgess, skillfully played the piano to popular favorites.

Roberta met her future husband Walter (a tall and handsome rising engineer at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard) on a blind-date to a VFW dance (accompanied by her sister and cousins.) They dated, and were married on December 7, 1941 - the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed. As they walked out of the church, sirens were sounding all over Baltimore signaling everyone to take shelter. The wedding reception was canceled and the marriage certificate was signed at a later date.

After World War II, Roberta became a mother, and Walter and Roberta would blaze a trail to Brooklyn Park, and finally settling in Linstead-on–the-Severn as they raised their 4 sons.

Roberta continued her career as a Loving and Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother throughout all of her life. She loved being with her family, and especially her grandchildren.

Roberta enjoyed cooking and serving her family healthy meals that were both nutritious and delicious. Holidays were a special time for her sons and their families to return to her home and celebrate. Roberta also enjoyed doing needlepoint, reading books, duckpin bowling and watching TV game shows. She always kept her mind sharp by solving the puzzles on "Wheel of Fortune" and other TV game shows.

Roberta is survived by her sons Walter Jr./Skip (Anna) Shade, Robert (Norma) Shade, Gary (Joan) Shade, Douglas (Jacqueilynne) Shade, and her nieces Carole Young Snair and Debbie Young Duffy.

Roberta has 8 grandchildren Stephen (Lisa) Shade, Stacey (Mike) Rinkus, Scott (Samantha) Shade, Markey (Rob) Jager, Jonathan Shade, Rachel Shade, Andrew Shade and Thomas Shade. She also has 6 great-grandchildren Carson Shade, Emily Shade, Natalie Shade, Abby Jager, Tristan Jager and Julia Shade.

The family plans to hold a private memorial service.