Roberta Strange formerly of Winchester, MA

Roberta (Hackett) Strange – 79, from Winchester, MA, died January 8 2023, after a brief illness.  She was born July 7th 1943 in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Howard and Edith (McCarthy) Hackett. She spent her early years on Hamilton Street in Dorchester raised by her late mother, and two aunts. In 1956, she moved to Winchester and was educated through the Winchester School system. Living across the street from The Immaculate Conception Church, she wrote the weekly church bulletin and was active at church events and its Drum and Bugle Corp.

Roberta graduated from Winchester High School with the Class of 1961 and married in 1964. Throughout her career, she worked as a typist and administrative assistant for RCA, MIT, Boston Gas, and Lahey as well as many interesting companies for which she was employed as a contractor. In addition to her full time work, Roberta was often taking part time jobs that helped and cared for others in her community. She was also well known for making custom decorated cakes and candy for birthdays, holidays, christenings and weddings.

Although Roberta took pride in growing up in Dorchester and the North End of Winchester, her home away from home was always Ireland. If she wasn’t in Ireland, and it was a Saturday in Boston, her radio was tuned to WROL Irish Hit Parade listening to the music she loved so much.  She had the privilege of visiting Ireland countless times, even spending an extended period of time there with her young children in 1974. For a brief period she called Ireland her home, and knowing the country so well, was often asked to be a travel partner and guide by many of her friends.

Roberta leaves behind her sons Andrew K Strange, Brian Strange and his wife Carla of Tyngsboro, her sister Geraldine “Gerry” Davidson, extended family: M.A. Murray, Denis O’Donnell, Laurette Hackett, Michelle Paone, many nieces and nephews, and many friends whom she treasured since childhood.  Most notably, she leaves her grandchildren Bryan, Jennifer and Olivia Strange who will forever remember her as “Nana Ro.”

Roberta was predeceased by her husband Patrick Ward, son Daniel, mother Edith Hackett, brother Howard “Buddy” Hackett, aunts Geraldine McCarthy and Alice O’Donnell, and uncles Hugh and Robert McCarthy.

Interment will be private followed by a memorial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Roberta’s name to the following 501c charity:

Michael J. Dunleavy Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 325

Winchester, MA 01890
www.michaeldunleavy.com