The Rev. Roberta A. Heath, 67, of 716 Barker Road passed away Saturday morning at the Mount Carmel Care Center in Lenox surrounded by her loving family. A longtime Pittsfield resident, Rev. Heath was born in Great Barrington on April 11, 1948, a daughter of the late Robert and Margaret Herlihy Gilmore. She was educated in Sheffield schools and graduated from Mt. Everett Regional High School in 1966. She went on to earn an associate's degree in Liberal Arts from Berkshire Community College, a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Berkshire Christian College and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Russell Sage College. She then went on to earn her Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological Seminary. A minister for over twenty-five years, Rev. Heath was the founding pastor of Berkshire Community Church in Richmond. She also served as the Executive Director at the Berkshire County American Red Cross and the Executive Director of Action for Opportunity. Rev. Heath was active in the community, serving on various boards and committees.
Roberta enjoyed hiking, traveling and skiing. She was an avid reader, loved debating theology and politics, and ardently supported the arts and the Patriots. She was always surrounded by friends and family and touched the lives of many many people. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren. Robbie leaves her wife and partner of forty-two years, Janet D'Arcangelo of Pittsfield; a daughter, Lisa Tibbetts and her husband Paul of Danvers, MA; two sons: James Heath and his wife Katie of Pittsfield, and Timothy Heath of Pittsfield; a brother, David Gilmore of Gt. Barrington; and two sisters: Gail Elliott and her husband Craig of North Egremont, and Nancy Davis and her husband Arthur of Housatonic; six grandchildren, John and Robert Tibbetts, Joseph and Abigail Heath, Jacob Heath and Joshua Poirier. She also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Rev. Roberta A. Heath who died October 17, 2015 will be held Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Berkshire Community Church in Richmond conducted by the Rev. Angela Raciti, the Rev. Dr. Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, and the Rev. Sheila Sholes-Ross. Burial will take place in Pittsfield Cemetery at a later date. Calling hours for Rev. Heath will be held Friday from 4 to 7 PM at Berkshire Community Church on Cemetery Road in Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society/Berkshire County Relay for Life, in memory of Rev. Roberta Heath in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201 which is handling arrangements.

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