Roberta M. (Charles) Chakarian

Roberta Martha (Charles) Chakarian, 91, of Worcester, passed away peacefully at home on January 12th with her beloved family by her side.

Roberta was born on November 13, 1931 in Brimley, Michigan, the third of thirteen children to Donald and Catherine (Collins) Charles. She was predeceased by her parents, four sisters (Beverly, Catherine, Annabelle and Deborah) and six brothers (Donald, Robert, Kenneth, Jerome, George and James).

On January 2, 1954, she married Robert (Chic) Chakarian, whom she met while he was stationed in the U. S. Coast Guard at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Berta and Chic moved to Worcester to begin their life together and were married for over 69 wonderful years. She is survived by her devoted husband, along with their children: Robert (Kathleen), Andrea Bernier (Mark) and Lisa Gibbons (William). She also leaves her grandchildren: Katelyn McGowan (Kevin), Kristina Ryan (John Michael), Lisa Michelle Bernier, Michael Bernier, William (Mallory) Gibbons, and Robert Gibbons. Roberta was blessed to see, cherish and Love her children’s children’s children: Cole, Charlie and Vivienne McGowan, Jack Ryan, William and Welles Gibbons. Those grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy whom she cherished and adored. Roberta also leaves two siblings: Lajoice and Helen, along with many nieces, nephews, sibling in-laws and cousins in Michigan.

Roberta graduated from Brimley (MI) High School in 1949. She began working as an operator for the Telephone Company, where she met the love of her life, and best friend, Chic, first over the telephone as she would place calls for the serviceman back to his family in Massachusetts. She moved 1,200 miles to Worcester with her husband to start their beautiful life together. Berta continued working for the Telephone Co. in Worcester, before retiring in 1991 after more than 42 years of service.

Roberta was a strong, faith-filled woman who selflessly devoted herself to raising her family with love. She tremendously enjoyed sharing that love with her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren as well as her many relatives and dear friends. Her devotion to all of them was inspiring. Berta’s welcoming smile and friendly manner made everyone who visited feel so uniquely special and ‘right at home’. In every facet of her long and wonderful life, Roberta was abundantly loved ….and with Berta in your life, you too were abundantly loved and blessed.

Roberta’s Mass of the Resurrection will be Monday January 16 at 11 am, in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St., Worcester 01606. Calling hours will precede the Mass from 9:00 to 10:30 at the Church. Masks are requested to be worn at the services. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery, Worcester.

A special thank you to the passionate doctors who cared for Berta through the years, and also to the many devoted staff at Hospital Care Home Service, VNA Care Team and their Hospice Services staff. 

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Roberta’s memory to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, at stjude.org.

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