Roberta’s Obituary Saratoga Springs, NY – Roberta Blakeman Fishbeck died at home on February 13, 2019, she was 91. Roberta was born in Kokomo, Indiana to Buford and Mary Heddleston Blakeman. When she was four the family moved to a farm just outside Lexington Kentucky where she spent the majority of her childhood and adolescence.
She graduated from Wilmore High School and then Asbury College, now Asbury University. On September 16, 1948 she married the Reverend Royal B. Fishbeck, Jr. After he graduated from Drew Theological seminary in 1953, they moved to Eagle Mills, NY. Reverend Fishbeck was a member of the Troy Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church until his death in March 2009.
They lived in Eagle Mills, Amsterdam, Slingerlands, Troy, and Saratoga Springs, as well as 12 years in Dayton, Ohio where Reverend Fishbeck was on the staff of the General Council on Ministries. Roberta was a warm and welcoming woman who forged a special connection with everyone she met. Among her most prized titles were wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend, and confidant.
To those of us who knew and loved her, Roberta was an endless of love, support, acceptance, and inspiration. She always had a calming voice, a supportive ear, a firm hand, an easy laugh, and a warm cup of tea for anyone that needed it. Roberta also had a long, fulfilling professional and volunteer career as a substitute teacher, library clerk for the Geyser Crest Elementary School in Saratoga Springs, 4-H Club Leader, Red Cross Mobile Blood Unit Volunteer, Rensselaer County Coordinator of Literacy Volunteers, member of the founding Board for Literacy Volunteers in both Rensselaer County and Saratoga Springs, Habitat for Humanity partnership committee, as well as any other way she could serve every community she lived in.
While living in Ohio, she was a member of the adjunct faculty of the United Theological Seminary, where she focused on helping theological students translate classroom theory into practical ministry. She also served in their local church as chair of the Staff Parish Committee. Royal’s service at the administrative level of the UMC granted them the opportunity to travel extensively, which allowed Roberta’s love of learning about different places and cultures to flourish.
These travels aided her in her never-ending quest to be an open and accepting member of her community. Roberta was an active member of United Methodist Women since 1951. Other church activities she enthusiastically participated in included teaching Sunday school, Retreat Coordinator, president of Church of Women United and president of Troy Conference Ministers’ Mates Association.
After retirement, Roberta and Royal moved to South Glens Falls where they lived for 12 years. They were active in Christ Church United Methodist, Glens Falls. They moved to Woodlawn Commons in 2005 where Roberta cultivated a wonderful network of friends and enjoyed participating in the community life offered at Woodlawn.
In addition to her parents, Roberta was predeceased by her brother Buford Thomas Blakeman, and her husband of 60 years, Royal Fishbeck. Roberta is survived by her daughter Ruth Ann Fishbeck (Reginald Brothers) of Norwood, New York; her son Ronald Stuart Fishbeck (Teresa) of Aroda, Virginia; 7 grandchildren: Jonathan Fishbeck (Vanessa), Nicole Fishbeck Bianco (Sean), Ashton Short (Eric Johnson), Hannah Short Ellis (Matthew), Samantha Short (James Melton), Jamie Brothers and Ryan Brothers; 9 great-grandchildren with another on the way; and a sister-in-law, Ruby Blakeman of Wilmore, KY. There will be a Celebration of the Life of Roberta on May 3, 2019, at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church at 10 am.
Memorial donations in Roberta’s memory may be made to the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Ave. , Saratoga Springs NY, 12866, or Community Hospice, The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefuneralhome.com.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
