Nancy (Roberto) Grosner, of Lakeland, Florida passed away peacefully of renal failure on Wednesday, June 5th.
Nancy was born on June 10, 1947 to the late Joseph F. Roberto and the late Anna (Graessle) Roberto, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The oldest of three children, Nancy is survived by her sister, Susan (Roberto) Paletsky of Goshen, Connecticut and Sebastian, Florida and Fred Roberto of Sebastian, Florida.
A dedicated daughter and sister, Nancy left high school to begin working at the Bullard Machine Tool Company to help support her family. She continued to work hard throughout her life in addition to starting and raising a family of her own.
Nancy proudly returned to school as an adult, earning first her General Equivalency Diploma and, in 1987, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacred Heart University. There she was a founding member and the first president of their chapter of Psi Chi, the honor society for psychology students. Her love of learning was not limited to the classroom. In the 1990’s she learned to fly small airplanes, a skill she treasured.
After graduation, Nancy pursued her passion of helping others. Her employers included the Valley Mental Health Center in Ansonia, the Center for Independent Living in Stratford and Workforce Alliance in New Haven. She retired in 2009.
In addition to her career in the helping professions, Nancy placed a great value on being a mom. Nancy is survived by her children ‚Jennifer Mentzer of Auburndale, Florida (Robert) and James Grosner (Amy Robbins Puterbaugh) of Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Nancy was predeceased by her daughter Heather Bruno of Oxford, Connecticut.
Nancy was known for her involvement in her children’s schools and activities. She served as a Girl Scout troop leader, Sunday School teacher and baked goods supplier for many years.
One of Nancy’s favorite roles in life was being a grandmother. She is survived by her five grandchildren, Jessica and Lauren Barry, Anthony Bruno, and Joseph and Daniel Grosner. They know that she loved them unconditionally and will always be remembered for being the center of any and all antics at family gatherings. In addition to being her pride and joy, Nancy could often be heard telling others just how proud she was of her grandchildren and their successes.
In 2016, Nancy was predeceased by her longtime companion Louis Gazsi of Ansonia, Connecticut. She moved to Florida in pursuit of warmer weather shortly thereafter.
Nancy will always be remembered for her love of life. She could always be counted on to be the center of laughs or to add a bit of mischief at any gathering. Not only was her laughter contagious, but her love of reading, animals, airplanes, and the Boston Red Sox inspired all who knew her. Nancy will be missed greatly but her memory will live on in all who loved her.
Services are forthcoming and will be published soon.
