Roberta (Dutton) Sawyer, 93, of Steuben, Maine died suddenly on June 20th, 2018 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Roberta was born on May 16, 1925, the only child of Phillip S. Dutton and Marion (Davis) Dutton of Steuben. Roberta traced her Dutton and Shaw ancestors in America back to the early 1600s and was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A brief first marriage to Merton Leigh “Bud” Pottle ended in divorce. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, William F. “Billy” Sawyer of Milbridge and is survived by her faithful dog Mia.

Roberta grew up in the village of Steuben. As a teenager, she moved to Machias and graduated from Machias High School. After high school, she spent a year at Washington State Normal School. Discovering she didn’t like teaching, she transferred to Maine School of Commerce (later Husson University) where she studied stenography. She worked as an executive secretary in Portland and Milbridge and managed the rental properties and businesses she owned with her husband. The last year and a half of her life she was lovingly cared for by the staff at Dirigo Pines in Orono.

Roberta was one of a kind. She was a fiercely independent and determined Down Easter with a soft spot for those who were struggling; scrupulous about paying her own way and refusing help while quietly supporting those in need; a notorious beauty who didn’t believe in spending money, especially on herself, but donated to numerous charities; possessed of a wonderfully dry and sometimes biting wit; gracious but not one to suffer fools; a good citizen who didn’t believe in seatbelts or speed limits; an intensely private person who loved partner dancing; a patriot and a political conservative. She was elegant, dignified and a lot of fun. She will be greatly missed by her friends and relatives, including Sally Ward of Machias, Bonnie Beck of Portland and the entire Dutton family.

A Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at the Henry D. Moore Parish House, 22 Village Road, Steuben. Interment will be in the Steuben Village Cemetery immediately following the service. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com