Lasting Memories

Roberta Marie Robertson
Nov. 18, 1947-Sept. 22, 2025
Los Altos, California

A proud native of Stockton, CA, Roberta Williams grew up with her brother Robert and two loving parents, Earle (“Bob”) and Edith. Valedictorian at Lodi High School, “Susie” was a dedicated, lifelong student of piano and music more generally. At Stanford University, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music in 1969 and M.A. in Music Education in 1970.

She met her husband of 50 years, Frank Robertson of Palo Alto, through the Stanford Band in 1965.

Roberta received her teaching credential in 1970 and was soon hired to teach music across the Los Altos School District, where she dedicated 43 years to teaching vocal music, orchestra, strings, brass, and guitar. Former students of all ages would often recognize “Mrs. Robertson!” across town and beyond.

She retired in 2012 to pursue traveling (including to Portugal, China, Russia, Scandinavia and Northern Europe), gardening, ballroom dancing, playing piano, swimming, walking the neighborhood, and spending time with grandkids and friends.

She was the life of the party and her smile could light up any room.

“Blondie” is survived by her husband Frank, children Angela and Anthony, grandchildren Maya, Ella, and Linden, and at least 30,000 former students whose lives she enriched with music.