Obituary
Guest Book
1933
2018
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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Memorial Funeral Home/Columbia.
5 Entries
February 1, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 29, 2018
Michael Donnelly
Lorraine was an unfailingly bright and helpful presence at scholarly conferences, and perhaps the main contributor to greater understanding and appreciation of a much-misunderstood seventeenth century poet, Richard Crashaw. She will be greatly missed.
January 24, 2018
Friend
Christian Michener
My wife Mary and I are so sad to hear the news about our friend Lorraine. She and Jack were friends of ours both in Missouri and Minnesota. I studied under Jack in graduate school, then worked with him on his Donne scholarship in his special office in the library. Through him we got to know Lorraine, and it was through her that I got the position I still have in the English Department at Saint Mary's. We kept in touch after Lorraine's retirement and always looked forward to hearing news from them through their Christmas cards. Mary and I would like to extend our sympathy to the entire Roberts family. Jack and Lorraine were very special to us, and now we will miss them both.
January 24, 2018
The tears flow as we live with the profound memory of our dear friend Lorraine. Knowing she now shares eternal life with her beloved, Jack, the pain is lessened. She was brilliant, beautiful and had a rip roaring sense of humor.
Charlie and Eileen Haugh, Rochester, MN
January 23, 2018
Cecilia Grenier
Dear Family and Friends of Lorraine,
I was truly heart-broken to learn that Lorraine is no longer with us; she was indeed a beautiful and cherished friend, my confidante and rock during my two difficult years at St. Mary's in Winona, Minnesota. Her moral support and encouragement sustained my during this time and continued during our life-long friendship. During my cancer surgeries, she came to St. Charles and stayed with me through my recuperation. In 2001, I traveled with her and Jack's trip to Rome. When I left St. Mary's, I told her I would never have another friend like her, and although I do have many wonderful friends, Lorraine was unique. She was beautiful inside and out. I cannot even imagine what the loss of such a mother must mean to her family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers that God will be with you and comfort you in the days ahead. Love, Cecilia
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