Roberta "Bobbie" DeGroff

Roberta “Bobbie” Lee DeGroff was born on December 21, 1957 to very loving parents Robert and Catherine DeGroff. Her mother thought she was a boy and wanted to name her Robert so, when they discovered it was a girl, Roberta became her name. 

She was raised in Oswego, New York and had lots of happy stories surrounding her childhood with her loving parents and siblings. She has always said she was a daddy’s girl and was extremely close him while he filled her life with silly moments and lots of laughter. Her parents taught her to work hard and love hard and she always kept her siblings, Wayne (Doreen) DeGroff, Skip (Glenda) DeGroff, Cecelia (John) DeGroff, Florence (Robert Jr.) Smith and Kathy DeGroff close to her no matter how far apart they were. 

She moved to Texas and met her partner Timothy Lynn Arnold. They have been together 45 years. They have had their ups and downs but always persevered and loved each other. 

Bobbie worked at Motel 6 for over 44 years. She loved her work family and always treated them with as much love as her own family. 

She loved life, loved to act silly, she worked hard, smiled often, and had a heart of gold. We always called her a kid magnet since kids always loved her. 

She loved to be outside barefoot gardening and playing with her cat, Loki. She liked to play bingo, feed birds, watch crime shows and scary movies, watch football (Go, Giants), read, crochet blankets for so many loved ones (just as her mom did) and spend time with friends and family. 

She is survived by her children: 

Cristi (Patrick) Doll, Erica (Earl) Brown and Shane (Sarah Coughlin) Dalaba 

Her grandchildren: Jeffrey, Angel, Earl V, Eagan, Hazel, Jade, Leif and Ciaran.

Father in law: Ken (Neva) Arnold 

Brothers and sister in law: Glenn (Sharon) Arnold, Gary (Elizabeth) Arnold and Kelly (Nick) Wade

As well as many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family. 

She is preceded in death by her parents (Robert and Catherine (Ritchie) DeGroff), sisters (Florence, Kathleen (Kathy) and Cecelia), her first husband (Terry Dalaba), mother in law (Zeta Arnold), grandchildren (JJ and Rose) and many close friends and family who welcomed her with open arms in heaven. 

My Mom often said she wanted to receive flowers while she was alive, not after she was gone. In honoring her wishes, we kindly ask that, in lieu of flowers, you plant something in her memory. She had a special love for sunflowers and rose bushes, and her kitchen was always brightened by her cherished ivy plants.

As you care for what you plant, we hope you’ll share stories of her—remembering her warmth, her love, and the joy she brought into our lives. In watching these plants grow, may her memory continue to flourish.

We take comfort in believing she is watching over us now. In her spirit, hold your loved ones a little closer, love a little deeper, and share the kindness and care she so freely gave. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roberta "Bobbie" DeGroff, please visit our floral store.