Roberta Mccreary

Roberta E. “Nina” Haden McCreary, age 94, of Erie, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2015, peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at her home. Roberta has been lovingly cared for by her daughter Kathy and her dedicated care givers.

Roberta was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on August 20, 1921, the daughter of the late Julian C. and Helen Burrell Haden.

She was a graduate of Northfield School for Girls and received her RN degree from Springfield Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield Massachusetts.

She met John McCreary while he was attending Springfield College. They married in 1942 then moved back to John’s hometown of Erie, where John went to work at his family owned business, McCreary Roofing Company.

Roberta enjoyed being a wife and raising their four children. She then continued her education by earning her Bachelors of Science Degree from Edinboro State College and graduating Summa Cum Laude. She then earned her Masters Degree in Education from Gannon University. In 1966 she started at Hamot Hospital as a staff nurse, became head nurse of the ICU, was the coordinator of Inservice Education and became the Assistant Director of Nursing followed by the Director of Nursing. She also worked as a nursing instructor at Tech High School and in 1978 Became an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Behrend College.

Roberta was a dedicated member of her church. She found great joy in gardening, knitting and reading. Her true passion was her painting.

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, John, her sisters Phyllis and Marilynn and her brother-in-law Ben McCreary.

Survivors include; daughters, Christine (Billy) Kapololu of Hawaii, Kathleen Freeman of Erie, sons Geoff (Sue) McCreary of North East and Greg (Marcia) of Erie. Five grandchildren; Justin McCreary, Ryan (Melissa), Elizabeth (Michael) Esser, Geoffrey Hulten, Casey Bautista, Morgan Kapololu, Patrick (Rachel) McCreary as well as nine great grandchildren.

The Family would also like to give special thanks to Lakeland Hospice for their recent care and compassion for Roberta.

Because she had great compassion for others, memorials may be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen 218 E. 11th st Erie PA 16503 or The City Mission 1023 French st Erie Pa 16501.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Wednesday at Burton Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 602 W 10th Street and are invited to a service there on Thursday at 10 am with Pastor Rick Crocker and Paul DeSante officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.