Roberta "Robbie" Snipes, 71, beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at the Terrace at Brookline.
Robbie was born and reared in Tampa, Fla. by her parents, Robert J. and Emarene M. Duff, who preceded her in death. On June 11, 1960, Robbie married Wallace C. Snipes, who survives at home. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Smithwick and her husband, Bobby, of Riverview, Fla.; her brother Jack and his wife, Betty, of Lake Wales, Fla.; her nieces Shelley, Valerie and Melody; her cousins Jackie and Mike; and by her children, Jan Bradley and her husband, Marty, of State College, Gregory, of State College, and Jeffrey, of San Francisco. Robbie is also survived by three grandchildren, Patrick, Sean and Melissa Bradley, who knew her as their Gaga.
Robbie received an associate's degree from Mars Hill College and a bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University, where she met the man who would become her husband for nearly fifty years. They moved together to State College in 1964 and were longtime residents of Deepwood Drive in Pine Grove Mills. Robbie had many interests and made many contributions to the State College community as a philanthropist and a volunteer. She was a tutor for the Mid-State Literacy Council and was an enthusiastic volunteer for the Make-A-Wish and Fresh Air Fund Foundations. Robbie was also an active member of University Baptist and Brethren Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and greatly enjoyed meeting and cooking for Penn State students as part of the church's youth mission.
Robbie's many talents included dancing-especially tap dancing-and ice skating; she was a veteran member of the Penn State Figure Skating Club. She loved to put on her taps and teach young girls to dance. As a child, Robbie was nicknamed Little Robbie Sunshine; no doubt about it, her presence always brightened a room.
From the time she gave her oldest grandchild his first bath in a kitchen sink, Robbie was a fantastic Gaga, taking time to teach her grandkids how to swing a wiffleball bat, to make a cat's cradle, skip rope, look for the best shells, and, of course, how to laugh and have fun. She brightened our lives, and we will miss her dearly.
Robbie's family greatly appreciates the love and care she received during her residency at the Terrace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Terrace at Brookline Employee Fund, 1950 Cliffside Drive, State College, PA 16801. Friends and family are welcome to visit with the family at Koch Funeral home on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, from 6-8 p.m., and to attend a memorial service celebrating Robbie's life on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, 11 a.m., at the University Baptist and Brethren Church, with the Reverend Bonnie Kline-Smeltzer officiating.
Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College.