A native of Washington State, Roberta grew up in Jago Bay on Clear Lake. Her family moved to the area in 1955 when they purchased the Clear Lake Observer-American which they published for over 30 years. She continues to work in her family's newspaper, now in Cloverdale, CA.

Roberta attended Lower Lake schools throughout elementary and secondary school. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College, Yuba Community College, and received a BA degree in liberal studies from Sonoma State University. She lives at the family home in Jago Bay with her family - husband, Harry Lyons, a professor at Clearlake Community College and daughter Kate, 16, a student at Lower Lake High School.

Growing up on the shores of Clear Lake, Roberta developed a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding terrain of Lake County. In her work at the Clear Lake Observer-American, she reported on such issues as diminishing wetlands around Clear Lake, the impact of geothermal development on Cobb Mountain watersheds, and various city and county issues. The Clear Lake Observer-American was supportive of the acquisition of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Local activist, archeologist John Parker, used articles published in the Clear Lake Observer-American to prove the case for the acquisition at the state level. Roberta is presently a board member of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) the cooperating association for the State Park.

Beginning in the late 1980s Roberta became active with the Redbud Audubon Society, serving as president of that organization for five years. She remains active with the Audubon Society as conservation chair and newsletter editor. Also interested in historic preservation, Roberta was a founding member of the Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee. This committee was responsible for the preservation and restoration of the historical Lower Lake brick school that now serves as the south county museum.

After seeing the difficulty in protecting sensitive habitats strictly through zoning and planning regulations, it had become clear that a land trust, an organization that would aid in the permanent protection of sensitive Lake County lands, was needed. In 1993, Roberta and a small group of friends founded the Lake County Land Trust. She served as the charter president of the trust from 1993-1999 and remains active on the board as secretary, newsletter editor, and membership committee member.

Roberta and her family enjoy water activities on Clear Lake, including sailing, waterskiing, kayaking and swimming. Other favorite activities are bird watching, walking, photography and music. Lake County is Roberta and her family's home and they hope that it stays a beautiful and inviting place for humans and wildlife.