Roberta Lombardino

New York, N.Y. — Roberta Ann Lombardino passed away at her home in New York City, N.Y., after a sudden illness. She had lost her husband, Joseph Lombardino, two days prior to her passing.

Roberta was born on Sept. 2, 1932, in Turtle Lake, Wis., to AnnaMarie Leisz Meyer and Edward Meyer. She grew up on a dairy farm and was the first in her family to attend college. She graduated from The University of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn., in 1953, with a degree in chemistry. After graduation, she moved to New York City to work at Pfizer. She met Joseph Lombardino at Pfizer and they were married on Nov. 26, 1960, at St. Mary’s Church in New London.

She spent the next two decades raising her three children and was active as a Girl Scout leader and swim coach. When her children were grown, she returned to Pfizer in the patent department after obtaining a certificate as a paralegal. During these years, she also earned a master’s degree in English from Connecticut College. She enjoyed traveling extensively with her husband to such places as China, Russia and Romania. She retired from Pfizer in 2002, and divided her time between Niantic and New York City. She volunteered as a docent for many years at Gracie Mansion. Her happiest times were spent with her husband, children and grandsons attending concerts and exhibits in New York.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Dr. Anna-Marie Melchreit and her husband Dr. Richard Melchreit of Lyme, George Lombardino of Lyme, Dr. Anthony Lombardino and his wife Dr. Ingrid Lombardino of Charlotte, N.C.; two grandsons, Robert and Daniel Melchreit; and her sister-in-law Rosalie Tinnirello. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph, a daughterin-law Nina Lombardino, a sister Delores Sneva, and a brother Marlyn Meyer.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated on April 20 at St. Joseph’s Church in New York City. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Turtle Lake, Wis.

Donations in her memory may be made to The University of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105, or at onlinegifts@stkate.edu.