In Memory

Roberta Balkin (Preston)

Roberta Balkin (Preston)

Roberta (Birdie) Balkin Preston passed away on June 27, 2022, at age 82, of complications arising from a disease called Scleroderma.  This disease takes many forms and can attack the body in many ways.  We do not know how it affected Birdie.  Her sister, Barbara, used our class website to inform us of the passing of Birdie.

After high school, Birdie attended Sophie Newcomb (Tulane University in New Orleans) but graduated from the University of Minnesota. 

Birdie had taught English in the Dallas, Texas area, where she met her husband Douglas Preston, who was a math teacher there.  They had two children, a daughter Sabrina and a son Peter.  Birdie claimed that Doug was a fine southern gentleman.  When Doug retired they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona.  There Birdie taught piano out of her home and was part of a musical group along with her sister Barbara, who also lives in Scottsdale.  They played mostly for fun and enjoyment at various retirement homes in the Scottsdale area.  Birdie not only taught piano, she wrote music, and was very creative and talented.

Birdie and Doug had been married for 51 years, until he passed away about 5 years ago.  More recently, Birdie moved to Cave Creek, AZwhich is right next to Scottsdale, after living in Scottsdale for many years.

Her daughter, Sabrina, works with rescue animals & her son, Peter, is an account exec with Lenovo. Birdie and Doug have no grandchildren.

We will add more information about the life of Birdie Balkin Preston as we come to know it.  If you kept in close touch with her over the years, please share your thoughts about Birdie in the Post Comment section at the end of this notice.  



 
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11/28/22 10:02 PM #1    

Kurt Schleicher

What a wonderful smile!  I just looked up what she lived with, noticed she was involved with the Piano and can only imagine how difficult it must have been for her.  Did not know her very well, but can only imagine how much of a trooper she must have been living with Scleroderma.

Kurt Schleicher


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