Roberta L. Huckabee “Bobbi”, age 80, died at her home in Gainesville on Tuesday, May 5th. She was born in Portland, Maine. She was the daughter of Robert and Eulalie Lanigan. Roberta graduated as the class salutatorian from Deering High School in Portland and from the University of Maine with a degree in zoology. She worked as a laboratory technician and music instructor in Orono, Maine. In 1968, Roberta moved to Gainesville and began what she often referred to her second chance at life. Along with her husband, she was instrumental in founding the Alcothon House in downtown Gainesville. Roberta brought a message of hope over the last forty-five years to countless persons suffering from alcoholism. Roberta worked at Florida Farm Bureau in the Federation Accounting department from 1979 until her retirement in 2003. During her retirement, she worked for the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections and volunteered for the Alzheimer’s Association as well as several other local organizations. She was a faithful long-time fan of the Gators. An award-winning classically trained pianist, Roberta also performed clarinet in her high school and college bands as well as in big band and jazz ensembles. Her love of music was equaled only by her love for animals, especially those in need. Roberta was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. She was an Episcopalian and assisted in various Florida and Maine churches as a member of the altar guild, lay reader, choir member, and organist. She also served one term as the senior warden of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in High Springs. Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Huckabee. She is survived by her son David Huckabee of High Springs, FL, her daughter Lynne Fullerton of Albuquerque, NM, her son Jeffery Fullerton of Portland, OR, one granddaughter Sarah Ganoe, one great-granddaughter, her niece Pat Hunt of Gainesville, her nephew Cecil Barnes of Gainesville, as well as many other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers and in recognition that homeless animals have lost one of their greatest champions, the family requests that donations be made to a local animal rescue organization of your choice. A Visitation will be held at the Milam Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday May 9, 2015 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 100 NE 1st Street Gainesville, FL. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
