Mrs. Helen Roberta Naden

Helen Roberta Naden, beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama. Born on November 5, 1933, in Geneva, Illinois, Roberta lived a life filled with love, kindness, and devotion to her family and faith. Roberta was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Clifford Naden, and her dear son, Nicholas Reid Naden. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her five children: Robin Naden- Semba, Greg Naden, Nancy Witwer, Scott Naden, and Christy Kreitz. She leaves behind 15 remarkable grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Roberta lived her whole childhood life at Castlewood in Warrenville, Illinois and went to school each day by train to Wheaton. She pursued her passion for music at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and fell in love with David Naden who waited on tables at her residence of Presbyterian Hall. David had great ambitions to enlist and fight in the Korean War and trained for the 101st Airborne while Roberta stayed and studied music at the University. When David came back to school, he decided to become a doctor and married Roberta on Sept 11, 1954. They lived in Chicago while David attended medical school, and Roberta had part-time jobs while raising a family. They moved to Bushnell, IL where David practiced as a GP. Roberta became a piano teacher and was involved in her church and Bible studies while raising four young children. Roberta and David moved to Iowa City for David to further his education to become an orthopedic surgeon. They went to Cedar Rapids, IA where David practiced orthopedics, and Roberta finished her college music education degree at Coe College. Roberta was a full-time mother and homemaker raising 5 children while continuing to teach piano lessons, directing church choir, and attending Bible Studies. Roberta’s love for music was a guiding force throughout her life, bringing joy to those around her. Roberta and David enjoyed spending time at Crystal Lake in Northern Michigan during the summers with family and friends. Roberta found great happiness in life’s simple pleasures—knitting, sharing conversations with friends, and listening to classical music. Her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering faith were a source of inspiration to all who knew her. A funeral service will be held on February 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Opelika, Alabama, followed by a reception to celebrate her life. In remembrance of Roberta, we find comfort in the words of Jude 1:24-25: "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Roberta’s love and spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew her, and she will be deeply missed. Brookside Funeral Home, Crematorium & Memorial Gardens of Millbrook, AL directing.