Buffalo Rising Online

Nov 12th 2007, 1:19pm By Marilyn Rodgers

October 7, 1945 – November 9, 2007

During my tenure in Housing Court I came to know a woman who would crash through any door and disrupt a meeting if she needed information or to make a statement. She was, indeed, a statement unto herself and those she assisted.

Undaunted by other’s title, stature, wealth, or power, Roberta Billingsley was a centrifugal force in the community, bringing to mind a visual memory of Taz from the Loonie Tunes cartoons on a Saturday morning. She fought, most of her life, for the underdog, the little guy, the disenfranchised, and the ones that needed the most assistance but could not find it due to economic or social constraints.

As the Buffalo News noted, she had a “piercing voice and verbal acuity…” I watched government officials’ nape hair bristle at times when she spoke. The “Uh-oh” factor came into play when she fought for the rights of many over the plans of a few. But, all would welcome her and heed her wisdom and her cause.

Robbie was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, about two years ago. When many would have stopped, she continued her fight for what was right. ALS first robbed her of her ability to be mobile – which she answered defiantly with an electronic wheelchair that would still bring her into court to continue her quest for equality and righteousness. And, the community responded in-kind with a wheelchair ramp built by the Group Work Camps Foundation at her home last July.

A founding member of the Western New York Peace Center, a member of the Livable Communities’ Initiative Housing Task Force, the New York State Defenders Association, a disabilities advocate, a staunch supporter of the sales tax share for education, a Board member of Fillmore Leroy Area Residents, Inc. (FLARE), a “late-bloomer” attorney having acquired her JD and admitted to the Bar in 1989, she challenged tax assessments and continually represented residents of the East Side community where she called home.

Yes, Robbie, as most knew her, was a voice for the community as a whole. She never stopped, never gave up, and never was reduced to “here’s what we can do” when she knew any project or case could be brought to the forefront. She was “the voice” and ALS eventually robbed her of her most noted attribute – her speech. At the same time, it also robbed the Western New York Community of a tremendous asset. Robbie is survived by a son, Joshua Billingsley- Cooke, and four brothers, Patrick Cooke, David Cook, Mark Cook and Dan Cook. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo at 695 Elmwood Ave, corner of West Ferry. Come celebrate the life of this Unsung Community Hero, whether you knew her or not, she probably worked on something that has made your life or one of your neighbors’ lives better.