Roberta Joan Preston

Preston, Roberta W. MADISON - Roberta W. Preston, age 74, passed away on Wednesday Oct. 1, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare, surrounded by her daughters, after a brief battle with cancer. Roberta (Robbie) was born on Dec. 30, 1939 in Quantico, Va., to Margaret Hope Farley and Herbert Harris Williamson. She earned a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts at Michigan State University as well as a B.S. in Nursing from UW- Madison. Robbie was extremely dedicated to her career as a registered nurse, working at Meriter Hospital in many roles. She was an active volunteer in many organizations including Bookworms, where she enjoyed creating reading projects for preschool children. In recent years, Robbie was on the board of the University League and served on various committees and participated in several interest groups. Robbie was a caring, loving and generous wife, mother and friend. Her abundant creativity and calming influence was admired by many. Robbie loved to spend time gardening, knitting, walking her dog, Scamper, cooking and entertaining. Roberta is survived by her three daughters, Micaela Preston (John Byrne), Julie Preston (Troy) Schilling, and Terry Preston; her sister, Margaret (Margo) Farley Williamson; her grandchildren, Brennan, Drew, Sage and Liam; and her dog, Scamper. Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan L. Preston. A memorial service to celebrate Robbie’s life will be held at FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. A reception will follow the service from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Memorials may be made in Roberta’s name to the First Unitarian Society of Madison, the Madison Symphony, the Wisconsin Bookworms Program c/o the University League and Olbrich Gardens. Please share your memories of Robbie on her Caring Bridge site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/robertapreston . Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761