Roberta Ann Natoni Dean

Roberta Ann Natoni Dean, of Evanston, Wyoming, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 29, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Evanston Regional Hospital after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Roberta was born on September 10, 1958, in Farmington, New Mexico, to Donald and Eleanore Natoni. She was the middle child to her siblings Donna and Christian. Roberta graduated from Farmington High School in 1976 before attending Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where she enjoyed being closer to her farming relatives. Missing home, she later transferred to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Education.

Although she had considered becoming a teacher, Roberta accepted a position with Amoco Production Company-a decision that led to a remarkable career spanning more than 30 years. While waiting for her fi rst assignment in Casper, Wyoming, she worked as a temporary secretary at the Arizona Public Service power plant outside Farmington, where her father proudly told everyone how lucky he was to work alongside his daughter.

After a year in Casper, Roberta's talents quickly earned her a transfer to Salt Lake City. Soon thereafter, she was transferred to Evanston, Wyoming where Amoco then became BP. Here she worked as a Field Financial Analyst. With her remarkable gift for numbers, she became a trusted and respected member of her team. More importantly, Evanston became the place where she planted roots, built lifelong friendships, and created the life she loved.

A blind date over coff ee at JB's-arranged by one of Paul's colleagues-introduced Roberta to the love of her life, Paul Dean. They married and spent 40 wonderful years together, building a home fi lled with laughter, faith, and unconditional love. Together they welcomed two beautiful daughters, Susan and Allysa, who became the center of Roberta's world.

While balancing a successful career and raising her family, Roberta remained deeply committed to serving her community. She was an active member of P.E.O. and faithfully served as an elder at the Union Presbyterian Church, where she also spent many years helping oversee the church's fi nances, recording, and depositing tithes and off erings with quiet dedication.

Roberta also served on the Bear Board, helping secure sponsors and funding for projects that continue to benefi t the community today. Her eff orts contributed to the Fire Circle, Bear Paw Trailhead, boat docks, the memorial tree grove, the Evanston High School sign, and many other improvements that future generations will continue to enjoy.

Of all her accomplishments, Roberta considered being a wife and mother her greatest calling. She and Paul rarely missed one of their daughters' sporting events, faithfully cheering them on
through volleyball, basketball, track, and softball seasons. No amount of Wyoming weather could keep them away from the sidelines.

Many years were spent road tripping to New Mexico to spend time with her mother, sister, and her treasured niece, Leigh and nephew, Scott. Those trips were some of her happiest memories and this refl ects the importance she placed on staying close to family, no matter the distance.

Roberta enjoyed yoga, aerobics, weightlifting, running, quilting, and walking her beloved dog, Bubba. She was also an accomplished clarinet player, performing in both her high school and college marching bands, including the University of New Mexico Wind Ensemble. She was a talented pianist who played for weddings and church services over the years.

Many people may not know that Roberta was a registered member of the Navajo Nation through her father, who was full-blooded Navajo. She carried that heritage with quiet pride.

Above all else, Roberta's greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, an incredible mother, and later, an adoring grandmother. Her brightest moments came from caring for those whom she loved. She will be remembered for the extraordinary love she gave so freely to her family and friends. She had a wonderfully quick, dry sense of humor that could make anyone laugh, and you knew you were truly one of her people if you found yourself on the receiving end of one of her witty remarks. Her kindness, intelligence, faith, and steady presence touched countless lives. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, laughter, and unconditional love that will continue to live on in all who were blessed to know her.

Roberta is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Paul Dean; her daughters, Susan Cornia (Braden) and Allysa Dean (Vinny Elardi); her cherished granddaughters, Tamzyn and Lainey Cornia; her sister, Donna Chrisman (Kurt); her brother, Christian Natoni (Alyson); her aunt Jane Meadows (Gerald), and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her unborn daughter, Melissa Dean.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, therapists, hospice caregivers, and staff who cared for Roberta with such compassion throughout her illness. We are also deeply thankful to her many friends, neighbors, and church family whose love, prayers, visits, and unwavering support brought her comfort and meant so much to our family.

A celebration of life will be held at Union Presbyterian Church 224 10th St, Evanston, WY on September 12th, 2026 at 11 a.m. A luncheon will be provided after at Sheldon Jackson Hall next door. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of fl owers please make a donation to the Union Presbyterian Church or some other worthy cause in Robertas name.

"I have fought the good fi ght, I have fi nished the race, I have kept the faith" - 2 Timothy 4:7