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December 20, 1976 - September 22, 2019 Szpara, Roberta Lynn (Thomas). After a fierce battle against metastatic breast cancer, died on Sunday, September 22, 2019 surrounded by her loved ones in the comfort of her own home. She leaves behind her husband, Brandon; son Evan John; twin daughters Brynn Hope and Blake Rose. Roberta was born on December 20, 1976 in Pittsburgh, PA to Charles and Sally Thomas. She grew up in a loving family with her brother Adam. She graduated from Brentwood High School. She went on to receive a degree in Human Resource Management from Slippery Rock University, where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She married fellow Brentwood alum Brandon on September 30, 2005. They settled in Baldwin, PA where they were raising their three children together. Roberta loved to travel, and was able to visit many different places in her short 42 years. She enjoyed camping with her husband and children, watching her son play hockey, watching her twin daughters cheer, weekends away with her girlfriends, shopping with her mom, and spending time with her MANY friends. She was an avid reader and couldn't resist a good Lifetime movie. Through her experience with cancer, she became involved with numerous support groups and charities, and met many friends who battled her same disease. She was an advocate for metastatic breast cancer research and participated in events that focused on the need for research, not just awareness. Two causes near to her heart were Young Women's Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation (YWNCF) and Drop the Puck on Cancer. Roberta is survived by her husband and children, as well as her parents Charles and Sally (Tannehill); and brother Adam (Tina); in-laws Edward and Marilyn (Barnett); Brandon's siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 24 and 25, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. where funeral services will be held in the Chapel on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either of these organizations that helped Roberta and her family during her 11 year cancer journey: Drop the Puck on Cancer, a local organization who helps families affected by cancer. Drop The Puck, 1905 Shelly Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, @ dropthepuckoncancer.com or Young Women's Breast Cancer Foundation, another local organization dedicated to assisting young women with breast cancer and providing a support group in the Pittsburgh area @ ywbcaf.org/donate. December 11, 2019 Such a beautiful young woman taken too soon....our deepest sympathies to Brandon and the children, to Robertaâ??s parents and brother...to Brandonâ??s parents and family....may God grant them all comfort...for Roberta will always be an eternal memory to all of us who love her...love and prayers...Mark and Joy Lang December 11, 2019 Brandon and family - Please know that we are deeply sorry for your loss, and words cannot explain how sad we feel for you and all of your and Berta's families. She was truly a brave woman fighting her fight, all the while still carrying on her daily life. She will be deeply missed by family and friends forever. May she be at peace now.
Love,
Patty and Gary Haberman December 11, 2019 Sally I am so sorry to hear that your daughter passing away. You are in my thoughts and prayers. December 11, 2019 Roberta, I miss you so much it hurts, I will miss your smiling, beautiful face, I will miss your texts and phone calls, rest in peace my beautiful baby girl! Love mom �� December 11, 2019 My heart goes out to you and your family. Loving memories of Roberta and her family while participating on the Little Pink Houses of Hope retreat in 2018. My thoughts & prayers are with you... December 11, 2019 My condolences to the Szpara and Thomas families and to Roberta's friends. December 11, 2019 Roberta
You were so loved by so many. You were amazingly kind and fun. I remember you always giving me time and attention as a younger cousin even when you were just dating Bran. Your laugh remains clear in my mind. I'm heartbroken for you and Bran and the kids.
I'm glad your free of physical pain now and with God. I wish it wasn't so soon, we all dearly wish this.
You are loved. You are deeply missed. I hope with God you also find comfort in knowing your family still here on earth will surround Brandon, Evan, Brynn, Blake, your mom and dad with lots of love and support as they struggle with your departure.
With lots of love
Your little cousin
Sara December 11, 2019 Thinking of your family during this difficult time. December 11, 2019 Roberta, may you rest with the angels. My deepest sympathy to all family members and friends. Time will pass but the pain from loss continues forever.
Christine Paterra Skowronski December 11, 2019 I worked with this beautiful woman at PNC and truly enjoyed being in her company. She had such an amazing spirit; always smiling and laughing. The world is a much sadder place without her spark. God bless Roberta's family. December 11, 2019 Brandon, my deepest sympathies go out to you, your kids as well as all of you families. Roberta was a great lady and will not be forgotten.
So so sorry,
Mike Kiray December 11, 2019 I am so very sorry to hear of your loved one passing. Sending My Prayers and Heartfelt Sympathy.
May God hold you in the palm of his hands and comfort you all. December 11, 2019 Deepest deepest sympathies for Robertaâ??s family ð???â?¤ï¸?ð??? She truly will be missed ð??? She always lit up a room with her beautiful smile â?¤ï¸? May God be with her family during this difficult time ð??? Rest In Peace beautiful Roberta ð??? December 11, 2019 We love you all so much and we will miss Roberta so deeply. I pray for God to hold you close. You have our hearts.
Love,
The Stanley Family December 11, 2019 Dear Chuck and Sally,
I am so very sorry to hear about Roberta. How many wonderful memories I have of her and I playing when we were little! My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know that my Grandma is hugging her right now in Heaven.
With my deepest sympathies,
Amanda (Mandy Chorba) Lockwood December 11, 2019 Roberta, You were such a great person. I am so glad I had the pleasure of meeting you, knowing you and becoming friends. I am glad we reconnected recently and I am so sorry I didn't get to say goodbye. I will always remember our fun times in college, cheerleading and going out with friends. I hope you are now at peace. You will be missed. Xoxo December 11, 2019 Brandon and family I am so sorry. I will not act as if I know how you all feel I 'll just say I am so sorry and love and prayers for you and your family. December 11, 2019 I am so very sorry to heard of Roberta's passing.She was always so caring and always a beautiful smile. I remember her the most when she came to my house with Michael B..She was always ready to help.My heart couldn't be heavier.My condolence to her Family.She is now a Angel in Heaven.God bless .Joyce Haberman. December 11, 2019 I read many of Robertaâ??s texts on the Pittsburgh girls with Cancer facebook page. She was a fierce advocate for metastatic research and such a support to many of us that battle various breast cancers. While i never met her personally, I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. My God rest her soul and wrap his loving hands of protection and comfort around her family. December 11, 2019 I didnâ??t get a chance to meet you but I have seen so much love and support that surrounded you. Love and prayers sent to your family and friends. December 11, 2019 Please accept my sincerest condolences on your devastating loss. Roberta was a fighter and definitely taken too soon. My thoughts are with your family. December 11, 2019 Roberta was an amazing strong woman who lit up any room with her smile and personality. Most people that met her had no idea the long fight she was battling. She was honestly the strongest person Iâ??ve ever met. Also one of the funniest. We had an immediate connection and friendship. I wish so much I had more time with her. Itâ??s very hard to find true loyal friends in this world, and that is what she was to me. I will always hold on to the memories and never forget her â?¤ï¸? I am so sorry Brandon,Evan,Brynn,Blake,Sally,Chuck and the rest of her family and best friends. May you Rest In Peace Berta .. fly high with the angels
Love you
Amber December 11, 2019 Dear Family & Friends,
My heart goes out to all of you after suffering this loss. You will be in my prayers. Cherish the memories you made together. December 11, 2019 My condolences to all who have loved and known Roberta! My heart and prayers goes out to her family and friends. I am truly sorry for her loss, taken to soon. ð??¢ð??¢â?¤ï¸?
RIP Roberta, no more pain. ð??¢
ð???ð??¸ð??¼ð??? December 11, 2019 Sending my condolences. I will always remember Robertaâ??s smile and I will miss her at drop the puck but will never ever forget her. December 11, 2019 My condolences to Robertaâ??s family.. she was so much to so many. She taught me about advocacy and who didnâ??t love her smile and wit. So kind, beautiful and oh so funny. You are at peace and I will miss you, but you will always be in my heart. And every advocacy step I take will be in honor of you and Laura. The best teachers ever. December 11, 2019 Dear Chuck and Sally,
I am so very sorry to hear about Roberta. How many wonderful memories I have of her and I playing when we were little! My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know that my Grandma is hugging her right now in Heaven.
With my deepest sympathies,
Amanda (Mandy Chorba) Lockwood Contact Us to have your link and message added here. Please fill out the form below. We will contact suitable submissions with further details.Roberta L. Szpara
December 20, 1976 - September 22, 2019
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