This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and their spouses at Northumberland Hills Hospital on Monday March 6, 2023 at the age of 78. Beloved wife of the late Tony Citro. Loving mother of Rob Citro (Mandy Dubreuil), Angela Citro (Heather Lowry) and Mark Citro (David Stone). Proud grandmother of Maxime Citro, Rémi Citro, Piper Lowry and Paisley Lowry. Sister of Jay MacDonald (Elisabeth), Jim MacDonald (Debbie), Evelyn MacDonald, and the late Cathy Smibert (the late Steve). Remembered and missed by many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at MacCoubrey Funeral Home 30 King St., E Cobourg on Thursday March 9, 2023 from 5 to 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Michael’s Parish 379 Division St., Cobourg on Friday March 10, 2023 at 1:30 pm. If you are unable to attend the Mass, you may view it on the St. Michael's Parish website. If desired memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
A very bright light in the world flickered out, as we said goodbye to our mother Mary Roberta Citro in a hospice room, surrounded by family and love. She had been dealing with a very long and protracted battle of physical limitations, but handled it with such grace, determination, strength, grit and lack of self pity, it was a master class. A fighter right up to the end, who would put Rocky Balboa to shame. She was always concerned about how everyone else was doing and really took joy in all the smaller things we tend to take for granted.
Before her physical challenges took precedence, she lived a very full and beautiful life that 100% of the time was centred on her family, friends and her faith. She embodied the term “Freudenfreude” (finding joy in other’s good fortune). She wore many hats including athlete, incredible student, mother, spouse, accomplished nurse, volunteer, integral part of her church, friend, mature student, sibling, caregiver, baker, cook, gardener, sports fan, animal lover, confidante, advocate, and consumer of prodigious amounts of candy.
Our mother really, really SAW each person she encountered. She took a genuine interest in how you were doing and made you feel special. She was the kindest person, who had no agenda other than being of service to others.
Our sadness in losing such an amazing person is overwritten by the legacy of the permanent mark she left on so many people throughout their life, and the ripple effect of how they treat others, as she treated them. Moving forward we will be trying our best to live our lives honouring her by asking WWRD (What Would Robbie Do) or WWMD (What Would Mom Do).
We miss you and love you more than can ever be expressed but know you are at peace, and in a better place now.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Iam so saddened to hear of Roberta’s passing.She was a wonderful person and a great friend to me.She will be missed by many people.A donation to Heart and Stroke is made.
Our sincere condolences, she will be missed
My sincerest condolences to Rob, Mandy, and all of Mary’s family and friends. Sending you all love during this time.
We are sorry to hear about losing such a cherished family member. We're thinking of you and wishing peace in your hearts.
Dear Rob and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know I am thinking of you during this difficult time. My deepest condolences.
Rob and family. So sorry to hear if your loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family .
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Condolences to your family and friends .I worked with your mom many years ago when living in Newmarket . She was such a kind ,gentle and caring lady and always had a smile . We exchanged Christmas cards for a few years but I guess we lost track of each other.I think of her many times when I walk by their house. She is now with her God ,at peace and free of pain leaving her family to carry on her legacy.Sincerely ,shelia🌹🙏🏻
I knew Roberta since high school in Antigonish .I am so sorry to hear of her passing. It has been several years since I visited her ( before covid) but was always struck by her strong beliefs in her religion and her love of family. I have many memories of her in high school, during nursing school and of our early days in Toronto. She was a truly special person. sorry for your loss
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Dear Rob and Citro Family, We send our deepest condolences to you all. May God strengthen you and your Family through this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, The Coretti Family
Dear Rob Mandy and Family Sending my sincere condolences to the Citro family. Take care of each other. Sincerely Jeanine Clarey
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Your mom & I nursed together a bazillion years ago. She was THE dearest soul yo walk this earth. My heart smiles on memorial of her. I’m so sorry for your loss yet rejoice she is home in heaven, no more suffering. You were mothered by a true saint 🙏🏽♥️
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Rob, Mandy, and family, Please accept our sincerest condolences. Your mom was so lovely. May God’s love surround you all during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.
Dear Rob, Mandy and family So very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Our deepest condolences. Brian and Colette
Dearest Rob, Mandy, Angela and Mark, this is a very sad and difficult moment for the loss of our sweet and wonderful MOTHER. Robbie’s beautiful smile, kindness, humor and caring will always be missed. My heart is always be with you all no matter where I am. Sending big big hugs to you all from Hong Kong!
What a great loss. Roberta truly was a beautiful, caring and lovely person. Having worked with Roberta for several years at CNIB she was a pleasure to know and work with, always putting everyone else first. My condolences to the family in the loss of their wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Rest in peace Roberta.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
So sorry for your loss Rob and families. Thoughts and prayers.
Dearest Bobby The world has lost a wonderful caring beautiful person with your passing . May you rest in the sweetest of sleep . We will never forget you and you will always be in our hearts. Vicky and Clive Parham
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
To All Those Who Loved This Special Person, We are saddened by the passing of someone who was clearly such an inspiration. We knew her only through her son and our dear friend, Mark, who texted us pictures regularly of what he and his sweet Mom were doing. It was like a book of family tenderness, and we couldn’t wait to hear each new chapter. Later, this courageous lady’s resilience, selflessness and good humour were also the overriding themes of her hospital visits. It was obvious that she cared so much about others, and sparked the same loving spirit in her children. May her family take comfort in the wonderful, little ways you are each like her. We will continue to get to know Roberta through you. Kindest thoughts and huge hugs, Arty and Pierre
Rob and family I am so sorry for your loss Sending thoughts and condolences to you all Kim Curtis
I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to a wonderful family for the loss of their lovely mother. I helped look after Roberta once upon a time, and enjoyed our many talks and laughs that we shared. She was always impressed with my "efficient grocery shopping skills" (our inside joke) and we laughed about it weekly. She also encouraged me to take a risk with my career and i will always be grateful for her sound advice. May you have peace knowing that she brought a lot of joy to this world.
Aww. So sorry to read about Roberta. I was with VON and visited Roberta weekly. We had many chats - she loved my swifter skills. She was such a nice lady. Hugs to her family. Jayne
Our heart felt condolences to the Citro/MacDonald families. I had met your mother a few times through Evelyn and her family. We’re thoughtful with the knowledge that comfort has come to this very special person. Diane&Grace
I offer you all my sincerest condolences on the loss of your beautiful mother, sister, auntie, grandma and friend. I never had the privilege of knowing Robbie, but I was good friends with her belated sister, Cathy, who always talked about Robbie this and Robbie that, and their late night Rosaries that they prayed together over the phone, due to the time difference :). Your description of Robbie is astoundingly profound, and truly does describe the kind of life that the good Lord wants us to live. In your sorrow, may you rejoice knowing that Robbie is now experiencing eternal joy and happiness, and is probably chatting and laughing with Cathy :)
Rob and Mandy our sincere condolences thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Our sincere condolences thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
To the entire Citro family, you have our deepest sympathies regarding the loss of the sweetest woman we have ever met! She can be described by one word: "INSPIRING"! She has been a model of what a follower of Christ should be. We profoundly loved this great and humble lady. We deeply regret that we are unable to attend the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are so sorry for you loss! May Her Soul Rest In Peace and may the love you shared and the good memories help all of the family members throughout this difficult time. Our prayers are with everyone.
Dear Rob & family, So very sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your loved ones.
Thinking of all of you.
Sincere condolences to the entire Citro Family ...
Mark, Angela and Families So sorry to hear of you beautiful Mom’s passing. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting her, but feel we shared a special bond with our prayers, and all the wonderful experiences and pictures you shared with me. I think of the one, where the guy was swimming in the cold winter water. She had such a great smile on her face. Cherish those memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Heart and Stroke Foundation
Sending my deepest condolances to you all. I am so very sorry for your loss. I will miss her presence at Palisades. God Bless You Roberta ..Rest easy my friend. 🙏😇 Forever in my Prayers Diane
Rob - My sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. May the memories of your mom sustain you during this difficult time. Please remember to be gentle with yourself, as grief takes it own time.
Our condolences on the passing of Mary. Eternal rest grant unto her O' Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her, may she rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rob, Mandy and family at this time.
Dear Rob, Angela, Mark and families, we are so very sorry for the loss of your wonderful mom. I admired her courage and her faith. She was a beautiful person. I am glad to have known her. Sandy and Andy Pruce
Rob, Mandy, boys and the whole Citro Family, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom, grandma and one of your best friend. Cherish the memories. Sending love and strength to you all as you process the loss of such an amazing role model.
Dear Rob, Angela, Mark I had the privilege of knowing Roberta for many years at St Michael's. She was one of a kind- the epitome of the gospel defining love. Roberta was self effacing, thoughtful, always a beautiful smile on her face no matter her own sufferings. She deeply cared for others and how they were doing. I always felt better for having seen her at Mass and was touched by the intensity of her prayers. God Bless to You Kathy & Mark Gordon
Goodbye to one of the nicest people I've ever known in my life. Roberta, you were a great friend and neighbour to me between 2014 and 2022. I moved away and never had the chance to say goodbye. I guess this is my chance. Goodbye, Berta! RIP
Mark, Angela, Rob and Family, My heart aches for all of you. Your Mom was one tough cookie! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate through this difficult time. Please find comfort in knowing that you have a whole team of friends and family here to support you all in any way we can. May Momma-C now finally rest in peace.
I am so sorry to hear of Roberta’s passing. She was a lovely woman and it was my pleasure getting to know her. My condolences to her family.
Rob - so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers for you and the family.
I had the pleasure of meeting Roberta when she and my Mom were in the same room in restorative care at NHH last fall. She was always such a joy to have a conversation with. My sincerest condolences to her family. Rest peacefully Roberta. 🙏
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a beautiful person, always thinking of other people.