ROBERTA GOSIER
Roberta Gosier, of Silver Spring, MD, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, at Holy Cross Hospital, surrounded by her family. She was a native of Washington, DC, a busy and beloved mother of five, a pioneer in the field of daily money management, and a driving force in numerous community efforts to aid the elderly. Born Helen Roberta John on July 6, 1939, she graduated from Mary Grove College in Detroit, Mich., and worked as a social worker before marrying Dennis E. Gosier in 1966 and leaving the paid workforce to raise children. After returning to work in the late 1980s, she ran the Montgomery County pilot program for assisted living-then a new concept-at Springvale Terrace in Silver Spring, and spent the rest of her career helping older adults live independently. In 1991 her career took an entrepreneurial turn when she purchased Help Unlimited, a daily money management company for older adults. Roberta grew the business and advanced the profession itself, co-founding the American Association of Daily Money Managers and playing a key role in creating its certification program. In 2006 she joined the board of the Senior Connection, a nonprofit that coordinates volunteer efforts to help seniors with daily errands and tasks, and in 2012 helped create its Bill Payer Program for low-income seniors. After selling Help Unlimited in 2010, she co-founded the Downtown Silver Spring Senior Village, a membership organization devoted to helping seniors age in place. Roberta’s memory is cherished by her family and the many others she touched with her warmth, generosity, professionalism, and boundless good cheer. She will always be remembered for the way she delighted in her children and grandchildren, serving as their tireless cheerleader, and for her strong Roman Catholic faith. Her spirit is perhaps best conveyed by her love of song, and singing, and recalling the tune that perfectly fit the moment. She constantly had music in her heart. Roberta was predeceased by her daughter, Denise Eleanor Gosier, and is survived by her husband, Dennis; her children, Christopher Gosier, Phillip Gosier, Kenneth Gosier, and Amanda DesBarres; her brother, Stephen F. John; and seven grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (valet parking), Monday, August 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 805 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Tuesday, August 18, at 10 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to The Senior Connection, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Please specify that your gift is in Roberta’s memory. To make a gift online, click on the “donate” tab at www.seniorconnectionmc.org.Roberta was predeceased by her daughter, Denise Eleanor Gosier, and is survived by her husband, Dennis; her children, Christopher Gosier, Phillip Gosier, Kenneth Gosier, and Amanda DesBarres; her brother, Stephen F. John; and seven grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (valet parking), Monday, August 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 805 Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Tuesday, August 18, at 10 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to The Senior Connection, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Please specify that your gift is in Roberta’s memory. To make a gift online, click on the “donate” tab at www.seniorconnectionmc.org.
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