Elaine Ellen Roberts
January 19, 1934 – March 4, 2026
Elaine Ellen Roberts, 92, of Newton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026. A woman of fierce independence, boundless curiosity, and deep devotion to family, Elaine lived a life that spanned six generations — and left her mark on each one of them.
Born Elaine Ellen Katz on January 19, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, Elaine grew up in the Flatbush neighborhood where she was raised in a lively multigenerational household. She lived with her grandparents, parents, sister Doreen, and beloved Uncle Herb and, as she loved to recount, their weekly Shabbat dinners were spirited affairs. It was around that table that Elaine first developed the independent thinking and passion for civic life that would define her.
She met her future husband, Kenneth George Roberts, in high school, and their love story would span seven decades. They married on Valentine’s Day, 1953, while Ken was stationed in Virginia during the Korean War. After a brief stint back in New York, they moved to Warwick, Rhode Island where they raised three children. For over seventy years, Elaine and Ken had an unwavering partnership and together they built a life marked by adventure, entrepreneurship, and family. As Elaine once wrote, their secret was “to never lose one’s independence but always be supportive and open with each other. Practice patience and listening.”
Elaine and Ken’s life together was anything but conventional. Among many other ventures and adventures, they owned a marina, built a hotel at Point Judith’s Port of Galilee, traveled the country in an outfitted van, and spent decades with family and friends at their “Camelot”, which they built, in Cherry Hill, Nova Scotia. After their kids left home, Elaine and Ken discovered a passion for antique jewelry, which they turned into Harbour Galleries, their beloved shop on Main Street in East Greenwich, RI.
Through it all, Elaine was a woman of purpose. She worked for the State of Rhode Island building a program she founded for displaced homemakers. Ran for public office. Lobbied in Washington D.C. for Title IX and the ERA. And was always outspoken and politically active. With a bachelors degree in education, that she earned while her children were in school, she was a natural teacher. Later in life she ran seminars on the history of jewelry and never missed an opportunity to mentor others. Elaine was also a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She made everyone feel like her favorite and never missed an opportunity to support those she loved. Elaine’s dedication to family was the through-line of her life. She built close, enduring relationships with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as her friends and clients —drawn from all phases of her life.
In her quiet moments, Elaine found joy in simple things — knitting, reading, and watching the ocean waves. She loved walking the beach, at Goddard Park in RI—and especially on her beloved Cherry Hill Beach in Nova Scotia—searching for sea glass and, over the years, amassed an impressive collection that she proudly displayed in her home.
After Ken passed away in 2024, Elaine relocated to the Golda Meir House in Newton, Massachusetts where she became an active member of the community. There she channeled her desire to make a difference into her work as a passionate advocate for democracy and civic engagement, founding Advocate for Democracy. She organized residents, wrote postcards, provided educational resources, and encouraged everyone to make their voices heard. “We’ve lived through history,” she believed, “now let’s help shape what comes next.”
Elaine was predeceased by her husband Kenneth and her sister Doreen Angel. She is survived by her three children: Cathy Roberts (Cam Pierel), Leslie Krumholz (Harlan), and Steven Roberts (Maryam); her grandchildren Sam Krumholz (Akana Noto), Rebecca Krumholz (Matthew Gottesdiener), Sarah Krumholz (Billy Rison), Hannah Quartner (Jeremy), Ben Roberts-Pierel (Tjorven Sievers), Alex Roberts-Pierel (Nina Scheepers), Justin Pierel (Ellie), Leila and Yasmin Roberts; her great-grandchildren Aaron, Nora, and Ella Gottesdiener, Satsuki and Noemi Krumholz-Noto, Hallie Rison, Linus Sievers-Pierel, and Owen Pierel. She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews and the countless lives she touched through her warmth, her determination, and her insistence that every voice matters.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Elaine to 2Life Communities, an organization she both benefited from and passionately supported. 2Life Communities, 30 Wallingford Road, Brighton, MA 02135 or online at 2LifeCommunities.org or to honor her greatest wish, exercise your civic responsibility and simply VOTE in every election that impacts you and your community.