Roberta Elaine Fine

In loving memory of a monumental and gentle soul – Roberta Elaine Fine eased from this land at the age of 90 on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Santa Fe, NM surrounded by all three of her children, one day after celebrating the birthday of her cherished mother.  Roberta was born to parents Erna and George Rozanske in May 1932 at their home on Carrie Street in Detroit, MI.  She forever appreciated the many cultural opportunities Detroit presented to a curious and adventuresome girl.  Roberta obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Her adventurous spirit led her to work in Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks each college summer.  After graduation she ventured out to the Territory of Alaska to teach students in rural villages only accessible by bush plane or sea, launching her life-long career in writing and literature education.  She met and married Nathaniel (“Ed”) Fine in Nome Alaska.  After time spent in California and Colorado, she and Ed settled in Tesuque, NM in 1971, fulfilling an ambition derived from the pages of Death Comes to the Archbishop.  She was taken by the book’s description of the Tesuque Valley as a young girl and thought then it would be a place she aspired to live.  While in Santa Fe, she achieved another dream and obtained her master’s degree through St. Johns College.

Roberta was an immeasurable inspiration to many, teaching her children to find at least “one thing of beauty” every day, be true to yourself, to find good, live with character and dignity, and to have respect and compassion for others.  Roberta was the rock for her children, ensuring each received a college education no matter her sacrifice, encouraged participation in school sports and band, and taught responsibility through allowing her children to raise an array of animals.  Her passion for gardening beautified the family home along with her homemade ginger-bread houses, rhubarb pie, and Ukrainian egg art.   She served as a court-appointed advocate for children in foster care who had previously suffered from abuse or neglect and  was board member and president of Jemez House Inc., a non-profit thrift shop that used its earnings to provide over $600,000 of college scholarships to over 145 students who were alumni of state group homes, as well gifting $300,000 to Northern New Mexico Community College. Roberta was also a published author, artist, accomplished weaver, and prolific letter-writer. Her final parting gift was to leave many wonderful Haiku poems, many of which were sent to friends and family in a yearly holiday greeting card, one for each month of the year.

Snowflakes hurrying,

Falling fast as twilight falls.

Fire popping, sizzling.

Roberta is survived by her children Vivian Maio (Stephen), Stephanie Fine (Pierre Dotson), Robert Fine and their father Ed Fine, nieces and nephews Marsha MacNiell (Charley Darnell), Jay MacNiell, Karen Dodsen and family, grandchildren Collin, Leah, Addie, Aaron, Gianna, Jesse, and eight great-grandchildren.  She will be deeply missed and be forever in our hearts.

In honor of Roberta, donations may be made to PBS Television and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  A service will be held at Cristo Rey Church on April 21 and a memorial will be held amongst her favorite Aspens at a to-be-determined date.