Roberta J. Grove passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026 at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor. She was born in Dawn, Ohio, on September 6, 1932 to Harold and Osie (Shiverdecker) Beekman. Roberta graduated from Newton High School (Pleasant Hill, Ohio) in 1950 as valedictorian of her class.

Roberta married Harold Grove on January 1, 1952 and began their 68 year marriage. Children Susan and Harold (Brian) were born in 1954 and 1957.  Following years surrounded by extended family, the family of four moved to Maine in 1966 for Harold to study at Bangor Theological Seminary. During that time Roberta was the primary bread-winner for the household, as well as supporting Harold in his studies by typing papers, including his thesis.  Roberta’s steadfast support continued through Harold’s 40 years as pastor in Maine, Florida, and Massachusetts. She produced bulletins and newsletters, and baked, cooked, and sewed for countless church activities. They shared a life-long love of music and enjoyed singing in church choirs.

During her life, Roberta had a wide variety of administrative/office jobs. Recently she spoke of library work as a favorite, from setting up a library for a new middle school in Holden, to working at the Princeton (MA) library, and then organizing the library at the Ellen Leach Home in Brewer.  Roberta’s passion was family and friends, especially feeding them! She also enjoyed sewing, reading, and traveling with Harold, including many trips to visit family in Ohio.  Roberta’s grandchildren and great grandchildren were never far from her mind and brought her immense joy.

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sisters (Betty and Beverly). She is survived by daughter Susan and Robert Grove-Markwood of Topsham, Maine and their children, James Lainsbury, Jason (Kristen) Lainsbury, Ian Markwood, and Christopher (Ashley) Markwood; and son Harold Brian and Valerie (Gray) Grove of Frankfort and their children, Harold Rusty (Amanda) Grove, Pasco (Sarah) Grove, and Haley (Adam) Reed-Hall; twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to thank the Maine Veterans Home for their care, especially Kim and Lureen, her primary CNAs in Unit B. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to the Activities Department of the Maine Veterans Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, Maine 04401.

A memorial service for Roberta will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Holden Congregational Church, 9 Ryder Bluff Road, Holden, Maine. At Roberta’s request the service will be a celebration of life for both Roberta and Harold, since COVID disrupted the opportunity for a public gathering to remember Harold’s life. Condolences and memories may be shared with their family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.