O'Connor, Roberta M. "Bobby" (O'Connell), of Boxborough, formerly of Arlington on May 16, 2023, surrounded by her seven loving children; Timothy (Linda) O'Connor of Arlington, Margaret (Mark) O'Connor-Fitzpatrick of Salem, NH, Lawrence (Michelle) O'Connor of CA, Penny (Gary) Cummings of Salem, NH, Roberta Glynn of Dracut, David (Patrice) O'Connor of Reading, and Maura (Frank) Schofield of Littleton. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Lawrence B. O'Connor as well as her brother James J. O'Connell, Jr.

Besides her children, she is survived by her grandchildren; Timothy and Meaghan O'Connor, Sean and John O'Connor, Ryan and Shane Cummings, Molly, Laura, and Richard Glynn, Patrick, Emily, and Joseph O'Connor, Fallon, Bridget, and Brooke Schofield and great grandchildren Penelope and Franklin O'Connor, Scarlett Cummings, and Rorke and Jack O'Connor.

Born in Somerville, MA on April 3, 1929 to the late James J. and Margaret (Buckley) O'Connell, Bobby attended St. Catherine Grammar School in Somerville and Fitton High School in East Boston. Some of her fondest childhood memories were of her days spent roller skating with friends and spending summer days at Constitution Beach in East Boston, her little brother Jimmy always tagging along.
Bobby excelled in academics and was top of her class at Emmanuel College, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry with a minor in Biology. Described in her Emmanuel Class of 1950 Yearbook as "light as a breeze and as carefree, Roberta insinuates herself into all groups and captivates them immediately". Not only was she incredibly bright, Bobby was also quite beautiful. She modeled professionally for Jordan Marsh. Upon graduation, she began working as a Research Chemist at Dewey and Almy Chemical Company in Cambridge, MA. She prided herself on being a member of the research team that improved upon the invention of rubber sealing on cans to ensure freshness that had been developed by Mr. Dewey.

Leaving work each day she would pass by 29 Seagrave Road where a very handsome young man would inevitably time his day to be outside washing his car. As luck would have it, he was the brother of a coworker who made a formal introduction to the man who would become the love of her life, Larry O'Connor. Married in 1956, it was then that Bobby left Dewey and Almy for the most important career of her life: raising her seven amazing children.
42 Robbins Road in Arlington, MA became the best place in the world for seven lucky children. Bobby was a mother that put her all into raising her children. She and Larry were strict but loving parents who put family, education, and God above all.

With her children grown, Bobby returned to the workforce as Laboratory Manager at Middlesex County Hospital in Waltham, MA. Never one to be idle, she also went back to school to earn her Masters Degree in Public Health Administration.

Bobby spent the last 30 years wintering in Clearwater, Florida, where she enjoyed golfing, bowling, card playing, and being a founding member of the local Red Hat Society. Perhaps her favorite thing of all was visits from her grandchildren, showing them off at the pool and taking them to Busch Gardens. Even well into her golden years she was always dressed to the nines and never left the house without matching shoes and purse, and her pink lipstick.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit in the DeVito Funeral Home, 1145 Mass. Ave., ARLINGTON on Thursday from 4 – 8 pm and to her funeral mass at 10 am at St. Agnes Church. Please go directly to church and staff will be on Medford St., to assist with parking. Burial to follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Roberta to Special Olympics, Attn: Web Gifts, 2600 Virginia Ave NW, 11th Floor Washington, DC 20037 or specialolympics.com/donate. Please visit devitofuneralhome.com to view an online guestbook.