Roberta Lerner

Roberta - or Bert as she was affectionately known - was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and educator who was fondly recognized for her endlessly warm smile and deep kindness.

Bert led a fulfilling life, all of it lived at her beloved Jersey Shore. Born in Long Branch in 1940, she was raised in Red Bank and was an eternally proud Buccaneer, who graduated from Red Bank High School in 1958, where her life-long affinity for chatter earned her the distinguished title of Most Talkative her senior year.

She was married to her husband, Charles “Chuck” Lerner on March 1, 1959 and the inseparable couple celebrated 57 glorious years of marriage before Chuck passed on May 31, 2016. They had endless love to give, embodied by their adoption of their son Gregg, on Feb. 28, 1966. Her son was a source of endless pride. Bert was his most ardent fan, whether it be supporting him playing sports or as one of his most avid readers, collecting each and every article he ever penned as a sportswriter. Anyone who knew Bert also knew how much she adored her son.

Bert worked as a secretary at Walter Reade in Ocean Twp. before stepping out of the workforce to raise her son. However, she went back to work in education, first as a lunch aide before becoming a classroom support aide. Her interest in the field led to her going to college, achieving a degree in education from Kean University. She became a first-grade teacher who worked at Shark River Elementary School before officially retiring.

Bert lived life to the fullest. She loved to travel, taking particular joy in her excursion with friends to Alaska. In the summer, you could find her on Washington Ave. in Avon, lounging on the beach with her friends, a ball of yarn and knitting needles in each hand. Time spent with her vast collection of friends was always well spent, whether going to lunch, dinner or Atlantic City. She also was a loyal fan of soap operas to her final days.

Bert was active in the Elks, a loyal member in the Asbury Park/Wall Lodge 128, where she was extremely proud to serve for one year as the Exalted Ruler. Her passion for patriotism was signified in the essay contest she annually oversaw and her affinity for lodge members both local and abroad was indisputable.

But, perhaps her greatest joy resided within her grandsons, Zack and Colin. Bert and Chuck never missed an event that involved thier pride and joys, often altering their own schedules to make room for what mattered most to them. Bert also would make it clearly known to all that she could not have had a better daughter-in-law than her Amy, who she considered more an actual daughter regardless of law. She loved to make phone calls to catch up with everyone and to reinforce her love and compassion, especially to her sister Sharyn, who she would routinely visit in Florida..

Bert was an amazing and inspiring figure without even knowing it. She will be sorely missed. She was predeceased by her parents Bessie and Hy Polin, husband Chuck and in-laws Millie and George Lerner. She is survived by her son Gregg and daughter-in-law Amy, grandsons Zack and Colin and her sister, Sharyn.

The Family will be receiving friends at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 10:00 am. The Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at Congregation Agudath Achim Cemetery, Neptune, NJ