Roberta Rissmeyer

With heavy hearts and deep love, we announce the passing of Roberta Rissmeyer, a devoted wife, cherished mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and beloved friend to many. Roberta leaves behind a legacy of warmth, faith, and unwavering love. Roberta was the beloved wife of Donald Rissmeyer, her partner in life and love for 60 wonderful years of marriage. Together they created a beautiful life, full of shared adventures, laughter, and deep devotion — a bond that served as an enduring example to all who knew them.

Proud of her Italian heritage, Roberta was born in Brooklyn, NY and was the only child of Ben and Olga Emanuele, both previously deceased. She was the light of their lives, and she carried their love and traditions forward throughout her entire life. Roberta excelled in school and even skipped a grade due to her academic prowess. Instead of going to college, she chose to work briefly before marrying and starting a family. She always dreamed of being a homemaker and she embraced that role with pride and devotion. As newlyweds, Roberta and Donald started their family in Bensonhurst, NY. In 1970, they moved to West Milford, NJ where they happily raised their family for 30 years and were devoted members of St. Anthony’s Church in Butler, NJ where they made many lifelong friends. Don and Roberta started their retirement years in Manahawkin, NJ in 2001 where Roberta lived for the remaining years of her life.

Her family was her heart — she celebrated every milestone, prioritized attending all her family's events, and gave her unconditional love to each generation with warmth, guidance, a listening ear, and boundless pride.
Her favorite things in life were her deep love of her church, family and travel. In St. Anthony’s church in Butler, Roberta was an active member of the Columbiettes and continued to be a member for the remainder of her life. After St. Anthony’s, Roberta was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Parish in Manahawkin, NJ where her reverence for the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary were an integral part of her life. Additionally, for over 25 years, she and Donald cherished their annual February trip to Aruba, a tradition of sunshine, relaxation, and togetherness with their friends from around the world and each other. And some of her happiest recent moments were spent during family trips to Wildwood, NJ where laughter, games, beach strolls, boardwalk rides, and Kohrs ice cream created memories that will live on in her children and grandchildren forever. Her kindness and quiet strength touched everyone she met, and her spirit will live on through the countless lives she enriched.

Roberta is survived by her beloved husband, Donald; her children; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was a dedicated and loving mother to four children and their partners: Sharon and Joe Stack from Dallas, TX; Donald and Karen Rissmeyer from Powhatan, VA; Brian and Sue Rissmeyer from Bridgewater, NJ; and Lauren Rodriguez and Phil Savino from Tolland, CT. A proud grandmother of nine grandchildren and their partners: Megan and Paddy, Joe and Emily, Christina, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Katie, Lauren, Angelique and Matthew, and a joyful great-grandmother of two cuties: Grady and Leah.

Visitation will be held at St. Mary of the Pines Church, 100 Bishop Lane, Manahawkin, NJ on Monday, July 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM followed by Mass at 12:30 PM. Interment to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Manahawkin. (www.BarnegatFH.com) 

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

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