Roberta Ann Harrison

Roberta was born on October 28, 1951, to Percy and Mae Boyd in Victoria British Columbia. Roberta was one of six children. She was the apple of her father’s eye. Competitive swimming was a huge part of Roberta’s early years between early morning practices before school and practice after school. You could see her drive to succeed in her competitions.

After having lived with her older sister Margaret and her husband Erik for some time, Roberta moved to Red Deer, Alberta where she eventually met her late husband Raymond Harrison and his two children Kurt Harrison and Louise Harrison, to which she treated like her own. Eventually the couple moved to Edmonton, Alberta and on March 21, 1984 Roberta gave birth to her only child Victoria. Everything now was about being a mother and managing her career in retail management.

Roberta excelled at propping up not only family members but also the people that worked for her as well often supporting them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She made it her mission to help others to see their potential. Roberta couldn’t help but to put everyone else first, she was the most selfless person with a heart of gold.

After Ray asked, was turned down twice, and then the third time Roberta finally said yes and the couple were married at Fort Edmonton Park on September 17, 1997. The love that they shared for one another could be felt that day and the smiles and laughter made it a moment to always remember.

Roberta had a way of making everyone feel like they were welcome and that they belonged, often whenever there were family gatherings and dinners, she not only catered to the adults but the kids as well. When Jamie Harrison and Brenden Cloutier (Louise) were at the house it was like there were three kids sometimes instead of one. On occasion Cole and Nicholas (Kurt Harrison) would also come and visit. April 2010 her grandson Joshua Harrison was born and soon became the apple of grandma’s eye. There was a special bond between them from her being in the delivery room when he was born right up until the day she passed.

After her husband Ray passed away in October 2019, she sold the family home, bought a puppy who goes by Rocky and after a brief 6 months of living with Victoria, Steel and Josh, she finally found a house in Rimbey, Ab that she and her sister Margaret would buy together and make into a home. What better way to make a house a home then to get a puppy for Margaret and a friend for Rocky. Duke was maybe the size of a puppy for a month or two but his breed (mastiff and great dane) made it so this puppy looked full grown at 3 months old. In her last year Roberta was very busy. You would often find at the house the three dogs Dexter (Victoria), Rocky, Duke, Josh and his friends. If he wasn’t getting grandma to drive him to hockey practice and games and of course every night it was a ritual for her and Margaret to say “Goodnight Sis” hug and go to bed and come morning time “Good Morning Sis” and the day would start all over again.

Our hearts will forever feel like there is a piece missing.

Roberta is survived by her daughter; Victoria Harrison (Steel Govan), step- children; Kurt Harrison (Chantelle Harrison), Louise Cloutier, Grandsons; Joshua Harrison, Jamie Harrison (Jenny Burgunde) and Brenden Cloutier (Jesslyn Cloutier) and her siblings; Margaret Simensen (Brian and Earl), Jeanette Gingrich (Jeff), Alan and Laura Boyd, Joe Boyd and Jackie Hansford and Richard and Eva Boyd (Rebecca, Richard jr, Sean and Josh).

Roberta was predeceased by her parents Percy and Mae Boyd, Husband Raymond Harrison, brother in-law Erik Simensen and brother in-law Ken Gingrich.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Hainstock’s Funeral Home and Crematorium 9810 34th Ave Edmonton, AB February 18, 2023 at 1:00 pm.