Cecilia Ann Robertson (née Berkoski), formerly of Southampton, died on June 15 in Austin, Texas surrounded by loved ones. She was 86.
She was born on October 11, 1934 in Southampton to William and Julia Berkoski and was raised with her four brothers in the Hamptons.
She married Robert J. “Bob” Robertson Sr., who became a well respected custom home builder, on February 6, 1954 in Southampton and was a very devoted mother to four children. During the family’s time in Southampton, Ms. Robertson worked as a telephone operator, school bus driver, at a children’s clothing shop and ironed the nuns’ habits from Villa Maria in Watermill. In 1969, the family moved to Coral Springs, Florida, seeking warmer winters. There, she received her cosmetology license, opened her own children’s shop, Buttons and Bows, and even worked in the post office.
Her family and friends affectionately called her Ceil/Sissy, and her grandchildren called her Boppy (their version of Bachie. Mr. Robertson was known as Pinka.). Ms. Robertson was a fabulous baker and cook. Her children loved her homemade breads, desserts and jellies and traditional Polish foods such as golumpkis, pierogies, kielbasa and sauerkraut. She often hosted her grandkids at their home on the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Florida, where they boated in the river and fished off their 275-foot-long dock.
Ms. Robertson found great solace in her Myrtle Beach vacation beachfront condo that she graciously shared with family and friends. She also loved to garden, and in her later years took great pride in her pink angel trumpet flowers.
Mr. and Ms. Robertson were married for 64 years until Mr. Robertson’s death on November 27, 2018.
She is survived by three of her brothers, Ray, John and Art Berkoski; her children, Dale J. Robertson of Florida, Daryl W. Robertson of North Carolina, Doreen J. Ness and her husband Don of Texas, Robert J. Robertson Jr. and his wife Colette of North Carolina; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Ms. Robertson’s children plan to spread the ashes of both of their parents in the St. Lucie River in Florida, where the couple spent much of their life enjoying the beautiful water views.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Lewy Body Dementia Association, lbda@lbda.org, would be appreciated by the family.