Diana B. Roberts – författare

Farrago, from the Latin farragin, is a word that means a confused mixture. This memoir, sharing the story of the relationship between author Diana B. Roberts and her mother, Markie, is just thata farrago, containing neither positive nor negative judgment.

Markie Byron Roberts was eighty-five years old when she passed awaya long life for anyone, but particularly for a woman whod been institutionalized for mental illness six times, beginning at age sixteen, and who had been unwillingly subjected to thirty-six shock therapy treatments. Through mental and physical illness, on her death bed and throughout her life, she maintained a personal sense of style reminiscent of her long bygone life. In the end she went quietly, politely, and silently to the other side, leaving her children to wonder what her life, and their lives,might have been like if she had been with them all along.

A victim of mental illness and the wounding loss of her familys place in society, Markie became incapable of raising her three children. For many years the lingering effects of the brief years she spent with Markie Created shadow over Dianas life, a kind of aura of both the presence and absence of her mother.

Finally healed after a lifetime of uncertainty and ready to help shed light on the needs of survivors of parental mental illness, author Diana B. Roberts details life with and withouther mother. This is their story.

Farrago, from the Latin farragin, is a word that means a confused mixture. This memoir, sharing the story of the relationship between author Diana B. Roberts and her mother, Markie, is just that - a farrago containing neither positive nor negative judgment. Markie Byron Roberts was eighty-five years old when she passed away - a long life for anyone, but particularly for a woman who had been institutionalized for mental illness six times, beginning at age sixteen, and who had been unwillingly subjected to thirty-six shock therapy treatments. Through mental and physical illness, on her death bed and throughout her life, she maintained a personal sense of style reminiscent of her long bygone life. In the end, she went quietly, politely, and silently to the other side, leaving her children to wonder what her life, and their lives, might have been like if she had been with them all along. A victim of mental illness and the wounding loss of her family''s place in society, Markie became incapable of raising her three children. For many years the lingering effects of the brief years she spent with Markie created a shadow over Diana''s life, a kind of aura of both the presence and absence of her mother. Finally healed after a lifetime of uncertainty and ready to help shed light on the needs of survivors of parental mental illness, The author Diana B. Roberts details life with and without - her mother. This is her story.

Lacey Pierce, recently returned from the Peace Corps in Africa, falls in love with a young lawyer and peace activist, Doug Pierce. Doug has been sentenced to prison for resisting the local draft during the Vietnam War. While waiting for the appeal on the case, Doug and Lacey start a lively commune. Doug wins his appeal and is assigned as civilian counsel for dissident GIs in the American military in Japan. In Japan, differences erode the couple''s relationship. Returning to the States in New York City, the couple enters therapy, but the marriage fails. Alone, Lacey goes home to Boston for a friend''s wedding. She visits her father''s grave and realizes that her male adventures have been false starts in search of him.

Diana B. Roberts, known as Dina, has been a fundraising professional for more than three decades.

She has held positions of responsibility in a number of prominent Boston non-profit institutions, including The YMCA of Greater Boston, the Boston Medical Center, and Milton Academy, of which she is a graduate, and currently the Gore Place Society in Waltham.

Earlier in her career, she served in a variety of positions: speech writer in the Federal Government in Washington, D.C.; editor of the major English Japanese newspaper in Tokyo; and Peace Corps Volunteer in North Africa.