Marilyn Roberts

April 25, 1938 - January 12, 2021

Marilyn Roberts of Bonita Springs, formerly of Allentown, PA passed away on Jan. 12 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. At her side were Bill, her husband of 60 years, and daughter Lynne (Jim) Appleman. She was predeceased by her daughter Jill, and is survived by loving grandchildren Alex and Will Appleman, Elisa and Emily Sarantschin and brother Robert (Sandra) Barette. Anyone who met Marilyn could never forget her after coming under the spell of her crystal blue eyes, beautiful smile, and sweet caring and generous personality. She loved people and always made them feel special whether entertaining or just being together in a small group. She was an excellent athlete, learning to ski as a child on a rope tow her Dad built on a little hill in a nearby orchard. Later she and Bill took skiing vacations for 25 years to Europe, New England and the West. She was a competitive tennis and platform tennis player, and after learning golf in her late 30s ended up with four holes-in-one and a Senior Championship at her local club. Marilyn graduated from Lasell College, did a lot of volunteer work as her girls were growing up, then became Office Manager for the manufacturing company she and Bill owned. After they both retired in 1997 they became Bonita Springs snowbirds and in 2014 made the permanent move. Folded into all of this was extensive travel around the World both with family and a small group of close adventurous friends. Marilyn especially loved nature and wildlife from the Big 5 to the wonderful bird life in SW Florida. No service is planned but if you would like to make a gift in Marilyn’s honor, please consider a donation to either The Conservancy of SW Florida at 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples, FL 34102 or Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary at 375 Sanctuary Road West, Naples, FL 34120