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Windsor, Vermont — Roberta Jean Sloatman Hurlburt, 94, passed away peacefully at home, on July 18th, 2023, with the love of her family surrounding her.

Roberta was born on April 12, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, the middle of three children of David and Esther (Hughes) Sloatman. Being the daughter of a Methodist minister, Roberta and her family moved to a new town on Long Island or in Connecticut nearly every two years while she was young. She graduated from Drew Seminary (high school) in Carmel, New York, in 1947, and went on to continue her education at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, where she earned her Bachelor's degree. She received her Master's degree in Botany from Indiana University, and shortly thereafter began employment at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in the Children's Garden. Teaching children about gardening helped her to realize that her true calling was in education. Because of this she enrolled at Columbia University Teachers College, and then began a career in education that lasted for decades. Her first and only full time teaching job was at Spring Glen School in Hamden, Connecticut, teaching second grade.

Roberta was married to Thomas L. Hurlburt in 1961, and together they shared 62 years of marriage. They lived in Orange, Connecticut while raising their family, and moved to Windsor, Vermont for their retirement years. Although Roberta stopped teaching full time when their first child, Cindy, was born, she continued to be an educator for the rest of her life, substituting in the Orange schools for nearly 30 years. Her love of children and teaching continued even after she finished substituting. She delighted in sharing her interest in nature–especially birds and plants–with neighborhood children over the years, as well as with three generations of family members.

In Orange, Roberta was an active member of the Orange Arts and Crafts Guild. She was an accomplished amateur artist, and especially enjoyed painting little birds to sell at craft fairs. Roberta was a faithful member of the Orange Congregational Church, where she sang in the choir for many years.

Roberta's favorite place was Echo Lake in Plymouth, Vermont, where she began spending yearly vacations with her family when she was 12 years old. She continued this tradition with Tom and their children. During her eight decades as a part of the lake community, she developed many lifelong friendships.

While living in Vermont, she was active in the First Congregational Church in Hartland, where she sang in the choir and was a part of the Ladies Benevolent Society. Skiing with her family was something that Roberta greatly enjoyed, and even into her later years, she continued to ski downhill and cross-country as well as to waterski. Roberta loved spending time with her grandchildren, and was a great supporter of their interests, attending sports events, plays and concerts as they grew up.

Roberta will be remembered most for her youthful spirit and her sweet, sunshiny smile, which made everyone feel loved and appreciated. She had great pride and love for her immediate and extended family.

Roberta's passing marked the end of her very long battle with dementia. The family would like to express our appreciation to the staff of Bayada Hospice for three years of kind and attentive care. In

addition, Roberta was fortunate to have a dedicated and loving team of home caregivers, for which the family is immensely grateful.

Roberta is survived by her husband, Thomas Hurlburt of Windsor; children Cynthia Hurlburt Hale (David) of Hartland, Jeffrey Hurlburt of Plymouth, and Russell Hurlburt (Abigail) of Plymouth; grandchildren, Cal and Silvia Hale; and her siblings, Charles Sloatman, of South Portland, Maine, and Esther (Sloatman) Barto, of Clinton, Connecticut, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 7 at 2:00pm at the First Congregational Church of Hartland, Vermont (10 Station Road). Roberta's ashes will be buried in the Memorial Garden of the Orange Congregational Church in Orange, Connecticut, where a committal service will be held in autumn 2023.

Memorial contributions may be made to either of the churches Roberta attended, or to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, in Quechee, VT.

Knight Funeral Home (www.knightfuneralhomes.com) is assisting with arrangements