Roberta Harrison

Amy Roberta Harrison, age 93, of Northglenn, CO passed away on Thursday, May 13th, 2021.

Roberta is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Donald and her sister Dorothy Goodman. She is survived by her two daughters Donna Israel (Craig) and Barbara Harrison, and her sister Ruth Cox (Bob).  She is also survived by 6 of her 7 grandchildren – Christine Miles (Luke), Dawn Prickett (Grant), Richard Harrison (Sarah), Aaron Johnson (Nancy), Andrea Fourrier (Camille), and Isaac Johnson (Daniel Lazzara); and 11 great grandchildren – Alexander, Shaylin, Samantha, Brendan, Evan, Hyrum, Quintin, Liam, Wyatt, Lana, and Twyla.

A teacher by profession, Roberta’s life exemplified her passion for learning, education, and teaching both inside and outside the classroom. She taught throughout her life in both small country schools and Malley Elementary school in Northglenn. Her classroom always seemed to have a menagerie that would need to be cared for over every school holiday!

To go on a walk with Roberta, especially in the mountains, was always an adventure.  She had a knack for finding amazing things all around us.  It could be an exotic flower, a special rock, a lizard, a fossil.

Her private life was filled with quiet moments teaching those children under her care all the practicalities of life. All who trained under her tutelage in her kitchen continue to reverently feed her recipes to their own families and the legacy lives on through pies, German chocolate cake, chile, and mac & cheese.

Roberta was born on Jan 9, 1928 just outside Fort Morgan, Colorado to Clarence and Amy Hawks. She spent her childhood working her family’s farm and learned young that life wasn’t necessarily easy and it was just best to ‘get on with it’. Which she did by wasting no time pursuing higher education and graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts from Colorado Women’s College at the age of 19. Later on, she would show that hard working spirit again while earning a master’s degree while raising 2 teenage daughters and teaching 3rd and 4th grade at Malley Elementary.

Roberta met the love of her life Donald Francis Harrison while they were both teaching in Fort Morgan, Colorado. They married on June 3, 1951 and raised two daughters together. Later they also helped to raise 5 of their 7 grandchildren. Roberta’s love for her family was evident in everything she did, and she never seemed happier than when her home was full of all of her family.

Roberta loved cards, crossword puzzles, and reading, but most of all she loved her family. Her life was filled with selfless service and sacrifice where she always put everyone else’s needs above her own. Known by her family to have a sparkling intellect, a quick wit, and a ‘can do’ attitude, Roberta was truly the queen of home base. Whether the adventure of the week was skiing, camping, sailing, or a backyard BBQ, Roberta was always ready to comfort the weary, offer a granola bar to a visiting child, or fry up the day’s fishing catch in the blink of an eye.

She was truly a mother to all, and no one could be around her without walking away having been loved and fed. Her dinners were legendary, her hugs felt like home, and every conversation with her made one feel like the most important person in the world. She will be missed by all those who knew her.

Services will be held at 1pm Saturday May 22nd with a reception to follow at Northglenn United Church of Christ, 1500 Grant Dr, Northglenn CO 80233. For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will also be available on zoom.  Please email Donna at donnaharrison@yahoo.com by Friday so that she can get the zoom login info to you.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to

• The Five Star Education Foundation The 5 Star Foundation supports learning opportunities for students in the Adams County 5 Star school district, where Roberta taught for many years. Donations may be made on their website, https://www.5starfoundation.org .

Or

• The Northglenn United Church of Christ , where Roberta and her husband, Donald, were founding members.  The mailing address for the church is 10500 Grant Dr, Northglenn, CO 80233.

Please share your memories and condolences with the family on the Tribute Wall.