Majewski, Roberta M.

Roberta Majewski, 90, passed away peacefully in her home in Chester, CT on November

19. Born to Clara (Duffy) Mcquarrie and Daniel Mcquarrie in Ashland, Maine, Roberta and her five siblings grew up in Bristol and Plainville, CT where they moved to when Roberta was

9.

Roberta eventually met her husband, John Majewski, her “Junie,” on a blind date. They went dancing often in those early days at Lake Compounce and were married on Thanksgiving in 1952, followed by a honeymoon in New York City where they went to television shows and Broadway plays and seeing Eartha Kitt perform was the highlight. In 1957, their son John was born followed by their daughter, Joyce.

Roberta was employed at the University of Connecticut Dental School in the Dean's Office until she and John moved to Newport, RI in 1981. An active member of and activist in the Newport community, Roberta worked at Child & Family Services of Newport County

and volunteered on the public housing board. In the 1980s, Roberta became very active in the National

Organization for Women and tirelessly fought to protect women's reproductive rights. She spent many Saturday mornings volunteering outside of the women's health center in Providence, RI, escorting women safely into the clinic amidst anti-choice protesters and John would accompany her. At one point, her photo even landed in The Boston Globe after a day spent protesting in support of a woman's right to choose in front of Cardinal Law's residence. In 2004, Roberta and John marched together in Washington DC in support of women's reproductive rights.

Roberta was a voracious reader—she was constantly at the library and books were always arriving in the mail

at her house. Culture—books, plays, movies—brought her great joy as an adult. Complementing her hard work and intellect, Roberta was cherished by her friends and family for her warmth, inquisitiveness, and humor. She was the person to call, no matter the crisis.

Roberta and John enjoyed traveling especially when their family could be with them to share their joy. They traveled to countries in the Caribbean, Latin America, North America, and Europe with many returns to Mexico which Roberta loved. They gravitated to locations along the water where Roberta could read on the beach and John could play with their grandchildren. Roberta's family took center stage for her—there was no limit to her love or belief in them. She is “family famous” for her baking, Easter Egg hunts, passed-down books, and the bits of feminist sensibility that she instilled in each of her grandchildren.

Roberta is survived by her husband, John of Chester, CT; her two children, John of Southbury, CT and Joyce of Cambridge, MA; her daughter-in-law Lisa Majewski and son-in-law Julian Down; and her five grandchildren, Taylor, Caitlin, and Brooke Majewski and Aidan and Sydney Down.

Roberta can be remembered in lieu of flowers with donations to the Alzheimer's Association or Planned Parenthood.

Please sign guestbook at courant.com/obituaries