In Memory of

Roberta

Doerfler

Obituary for Roberta Doerfler

On Sunday, August 12, 2018, 3 months after Roberta Doerfler turned 94 yrs. old, she died at home while her daughter Robin was holding her hand and reading Psalms 22 & 23. Roberta suffered complications from breaking a hip in April 2018, followed by a major stroke in May. Alice Roberta III Doerfler, of Simsbury, beloved wife of the late Robert Arnold “Bob” Doerfler, Sr., was born May 12, 1924 in Lynchburg, VA. She was the daughter of the late William and Alice Roberta II (Dunn) Harris, and lived in Boston, MA and Norfolk, VA prior to moving to Simsbury 63 years ago. Roberta worked at the G. Fox Dept. Store in Hartford, and then as a model at Lord & Taylor, where she also managed the L&T Country Clothes Shop in Bishop Corners until retirement. Roberta was a founding member of the St. Alban’s Church in Simsbury and served on the Altar Guild for numerous years. She also was a founding member of the first all-women Investment Club in Simsbury in the 80’s. As an avid golfer she was a long-standing member of both the Avon Country Club, and Simsbury Farms. She enjoyed many rounds of golf with the Women’s 18 Hole Group. Roberta also enjoyed gardening, having been a member of the Simsbury Garden Club; as well as bowling in the Senior Simsbury League. She was very artistic making jewelry and oil painting all her adult life.

Roberta is survived by her daughter, Robin Doerfler Guzzo and her husband David Guzzo of Simsbury; two grandchildren, Nathan and Hannah Guzzo; and her grand dog Remy; her brother, John Harris & Carol of Covina, CA, her sister-in-law Eleanor Ottobrini; her nephews, Mark Ottobrini, Bill and Jay Engledove, Scott and Kendall Phillips, Kevin and Bill Harris, Lynn Mattox, and Mark, Little John, Danny Harris, and her nieces, Hope Harris, Sis Marshall, Beverly Schroy, Sheree Bowen, Roberta Harris, Lisa Ganley, and Mary Doerfler. She is also survived by many grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, Roberta was predeceased by her son, Robert Arnold “Bobby” Doerfler, Jr.; a brother, W.E Harris, Jr., and her sisters; Marion Engledove, Lotti Ashworth, Eunice Mattox, Frances Hubbell, and Nancy Phillips.

There are no calling hours. A funeral service will be celebrated at St. Alban’s Church, 197 Bushy Hill Road in Simsbury at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 20th. Burial will follow in the Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Alban’s Church, 197 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT 06070 or to McLean Hospice and Homehealth Care, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Roberta’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.