NAUGATUCK — Dr. Roberta Anderson Massey, 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, at her home surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was the widow of Richard S. Massey.
Dr. Massey was born on Nov. 7, 1938 in Waterbury. She was the daughter of Dr. Arthur Anderson and Helen Roemer Anderson. She was a graduate of St. Margaret’s School in Waterbury, and Colby Sawyer Junior College in New London, N.H. She then graduated from the Chiropractic Institute of New York in 1961 as the only graduating female in her class. Following in her father’s footsteps, Dr. Anderson Massey was a devoted chiropractic physician since 1963. Chiropractic was her calling and she loved caring for people right up until her retirement a few short weeks ago.
Dr. Massey filled a room with life, love and sparkle. She lit up those around her and touched the lives of many. She was passionate about golf, entertaining, time spent on the beaches of Quonochontaug, R.I., beading, decorating Christmas trees, shopping, and fun excursions to New York City and beyond. Her days were filled with life, laughter, and special times with her family and many friends.
Dr. Massey led a life dedicated to helping and serving others in the Tribury community. Some of her many accomplishments included being secretary of the Connecticut Chiropractic Association, secretary of the Chiropractic Institute of New York’s alumni association, president of the Junior League of Greater Waterbury, president of the Tribury Rotary Club, chairman of the Rotary Scholarship Committee, and member of the Cerebral Palsy Board of Greater Waterbury. She was also a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader for 15 years.
At the time of her passing, Dr. Massey was a member of the Tribury Rotary Club, the 1st Tee of Connecticut, the Waterbury Golf Association, and the Connecticut Women’s Golf Association having served on their board and as their president and captain. She was also a member of the Congregational Church of Naugatuck and the Country Club of Waterbury where she was an accomplished golfer having won many club championships.
Honors awarded over her lifetime include the Distinguished Service Award from the Waterbury Jaycees, Distinguished Service Award from Rotary International, Sustained Energy Award from the Junior League of Waterbury, Rotary Paul Harris Award, and she was a Bronze Medal winner for being a distinguished Girl Scout leader. She was also in the Who’s Who of American Women in 1972 and co-designer of the American Chiropractic Association’s logo seal.
Roberta is survived by her loving children, Bryan Alan Atwood and his wife, Suzanne, of Litchfield, Kristin Atwood Generali and her husband, David, of Middlebury, and Amy Atwood Kvaal and her husband, Andrew, of Lexington, Mass. She also leaves her extended family, Steven Alexander Massey, Laurel Anne Leibowitz and her husband, Steven, and ten grandchildren who she adored, Ava Atwood, Trey, Ella, and Reeve Generali, Caroline and Cecilia Kvaal, Jennifer, Brian, and Kaitlyn Leibowitz, and Kathryn Massey. In addition, Dr. Massey leaves a brother, Commander Richard Anderson of Middletown, R.I.; niece, Alexandra Anderson DeAngelo and husband, Jon, and niece, Tania Anderson Lewis and husband, James. She was predeceased by her former husband, Alan B. Atwood.
The family would like to thank our mother’s special caregiver and family friend, Rose Cornell, for the decades of friendship and the limitless love, care and support she gave our mother in her final months.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 29, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Naugatuck, 9 Division St. Burial will follow at the Union Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Union. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. is assisting with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Massey’s memory may be made to the 1st Tee of Connecticut, 55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell, CT 06416; Tribury Rotary Club Foundation; or the National Chiropractic College (NUHS), 200 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard, IL 60148.
For further information or to send an email condolence, visit www.fordfh.com.
