Roberta May Tarantino

Roberta "Bobbi" Tarantino died peacefully in Raleigh surrounded by her loving family. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Bobbi was the first child of John and Alberta Bauer. She was predeceased by her infant son, Bobby.

A proud graduate of St. John the Baptist primary and high school, Bobbi was a straight-A student, May Queen, and point guard on the basketball team.

Bobbi was part of a new generation of women who paved the way for balancing home and career. She earned an accounting degree as a non-traditional adult student at the Community College of Allegheny County. She had a successful career as a real estate agent, then later after age 40, climbing the steep hills of Pittsburgh as a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, where she eventually completed career life as a postal clerk. However, her favorite role in life was being a devoted mother and wife.

Those closest to Bobbi lovingly called her 'Sugar', a term of endearment from her childhood, and later evidenced by her sweet tooth and a passion for M&Ms and Dove chocolates. She enjoyed bowling and dancing as well as playing cards with her friends. She was a woman of strong opinions and enjoyed sharing them through witty banter and meaningful conversations over a meal.

Bobbi had a love for words, nature and music, which was evidenced in her voracious reading, bouquets of cut flowers, and attendance at many concerts where her sons performed. Bobbi loved deeply, spoke her mind, and gave comforting praise where it was due.

Bobbi possessed a deep love for her family: John Tarantino Sr., her husband of 67 years; her sons, John, Jr., Mark, Steve, Joe (Amy), and Jim (Kim); and, her cherished brother, Jack (Kathy). She also adored her grandchildren Amanda Hankinson, Jared Tarantino, and Kenny Tarantino, and her great-grandchildren Sophia Hankinson and Oliver Hankinson.

She will be missed by the local acapella singing community, especially Ken Bland, Jr. and Dr. David Adams, who enriched her life through music and became long-time family friends.

Bobbi was a devout Catholic who was spiritually sustained by frequent Mass attendance and prayer.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 19, at 12:30 PM at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 19, at 2:00 PM at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 1008 Vandora Springs Road, Garner, NC 27529. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bobbi's memory to either UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation (http://www.givetochildrens.org) or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (http://www.stjude.org).

We ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of grief and loss.