Dr. Lorraine "Rainey" Roberts

Dr. Lorraine Bielski Roberts (Rainey) 84, of Columbia, MO, a brilliant mind, a great beauty, and the kindest of friends died January 22, 2018 at home, attended lovingly by her daughter, Lisa Cochran, R.N. and surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Dr. Lorraine Bielski Roberts (Rainey) 84, of Columbia, MO, a brilliant mind, a great beauty, and the kindest of friends died Jan.22 at home, attended lovingly by her daughter, Lisa Cochran, R.N. and surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Rainey was born on March 4, 1933 in Michigan City, IN to Floyd and Helen Bielski. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Floyd Robert Bielski, Jr. of West Chester, PA. She graduated valedictorian from high school, winning a full scholarship to Indiana State University, where she graduated summa cum laude and met her husband of 62 years, Dr. John R. Roberts (Jack) who preceded her in death May 31, 2017. They had 6 children: Dr. Stephanie Roberts, Mary Winslow (Charlie), Claire Karl, Milissa Roberts (deceased 1973), Lisa Cochran (Steve), and John R. Roberts, Jr. (Bo). They also had 7 grandchildren: Eric Schrader, Marty Winslow, Elise Karl, Milissa Karl, Sarah Moreau, Brian Beckman and John R Roberts III (Trey).

Rainey taught English at many high schools, colleges, and universities. At the age of 50, after raising 6 children, she received a PhD in English literature from the University of Missouri-Columbia and then went on to a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Kansas. For 13 years, traveling back and forth to her home in Columbia, MO, she was a Professor of English at St. Mary's University in Winona, MN where she met her great friends Eileen and Charlie among others. Rainey was one of the foremost scholars on the life and works of Richard Crashaw of the past half century.

In addition to Rainey’s scholarly career and family obligations, she and Jack traveled often and extensively. Their scholarly travels included England, France, Germany and Poland. And annually for the last 40 years, they went on what they referred to as their spiritual travels to Rome, Florence and Assisi, Italy.

After retirement, she busied herself with family, gourmet cooking, gardening, national politics, voracious reading, and her little dog, Sammy.

A memorial service will be held January 26th at 2 pm at St. Thomas More Newman Center, 602 Turner Ave., Columbia, MO 65201 with Father Rich Litzau officiating. Rainey's ashes will be interred next to Jack's in the parish following the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, 2201 W. Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109.