Obituary – Roberta Jean “Bobbie” Orton
Roberta Jean “Bobbie” Orton passed away on June 17, 2024 at the Gatehouse in Williamsport, PA. She was 82 years old.
Bobbie was born on January 29, 1942 in Oxnard, California. Part of the family that went back several generations in the area, she spent her formative years in Ojai, California. She graduated from Nordhoff High School there in 1960 and also attended Ventura Community College in Ventura California for a time.
Bobbie was one of few female production planners in the offshore oil industry, initially working for CE Vetco in Ventura, California. She then transitioned to the aerospace industry, working for Abex Corporation in Camarillo California. She was part of a company transfer to Kalamazoo, Michigan where she forged lifelong friendships with some of her colleagues who were transferred alongside her. The Michigan farmhouse she purchased would become a magical place to host holiday celebrations with her grandchildren over the years.
Bobbie retired from Abex in 2007, pivoting to studying art at Kalamazoo Valley Community College where she earned straight A’s. In the final decade of her life she moved to central Pennsylvania to be near her daughters and grandchildren. She became an active and beloved member of the community there, making many friends and participating in local art exhibitions.
Bobbie is survived by her brother William W Walker of San Francisco California, daughters Machell (Mike) Bressler and Toby (Tim) Lawson, son Lynn (Shea) Hanson, and several cousins. She also leaves thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Olive Thema Orton, father Harry Richard Orton, brother Richard Harry Orton and sister Cherie May Paul.
Bobbie will be remembered as a creative, vivacious, and loving person with a memorable sense of humor. Her family would like to extend their gratitude to Heartland Personal Care Home for the wonderful care and friendship everyone there extended to her during the last year of her life.
Please make any memorial donations to the charity of your choice. Per Roberta’s wishes the family will not hold a service, instead a Celebration of Life will be held in the future.
Online thoughts and memories can be made at www.GedonFuneralHomes.com
