Roberta Louise Cornelsen

Roberta Louise Mendoza, age 72 was born on Tuesday, November 07, 1950 at Quintard Hospital in San Diego, Ca. to her loving parents, Robert S Mendoza and Valentine Guerra Mendoza of Lemon Grove, Ca. She was the eldest of 4 children.

 Roberta was a true native of San Diego where she attended various schools through out San Diego and graduated from Mount Miguel High school in the year of 1969. After graduation she worked as a caregiver at Home of Guiding Hands in Santee, Ca. 

 

Roberta loved to dance and would go dancing at the local naval recruitment base formerly known as NTC Club Happenings on the weekends with her sister Stella and some friends. That is where she danced in to the heart of her loving husband of almost 51 years, Dennis Cornelsen of Wichita, Kansas. 

 

Dennis and Roberta married on April 15, 1972 in a traditional Catholic wedding at St John of the Cross in Lemon Grove, Ca. They moved almost right away to their first of many duty stations at Moffett Field Naval Base, located in Mountain View, Ca. Roberta had lived in many places such as Perth Australia and Guam that she enjoyed so much. One of her biggest memories she cherished was being able to enjoy traveling alongside her husband during his 21 years serving in the Navy. While Living in Guam, Roberta loved to hike and sitting at the beach. Roberta had a wild sense of humor and could make all of us laugh and enjoy the presence of family and friends. 

 

Their first of 3 children, Katherine Cornelsen was a still birth and preceded Roberta in death on January 29, 1973 in Mountain View, Ca. On December 28th, 1973  and August 28th, 1979 their second and third daughters, Micheline Cornelsen-Gholar and Kristie Ann Cornelsen-Cooper was born and quickly became her new found passion and joy. Dennis received his last and final orders of shore duty back to Roberta’s hometown of San Diego, Ca where they would raise their family. 

 

Roberta began her career in 1984 at JcPenney’s. Her strong and passionate work ethic helped her move up the career ladder and ended her 26 year career as the Training and HR Manager. She received numerous awards but the main consistent award was for attendance. Roberta then retired in 2009 but would be called back to work part time for the next year. After her retirement, Dennis and Roberta decided to move and enjoy their golden years in Yuma, Az. They moved April 1, 2014 with her dog by their side, Damu a 13 year old pitbull lab who she called her “lap dog”. There  in Yuma, Roberta loved to listen to music in their backyard oasis sitting poolside with family and friends. 

 

Roberta was called home to heaven on the evening of Tuesday, March 28, 2023 and was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Valentine Mendoza and youngest brother Marcus Mendoza. She is survived by her sister Stella Hinkley of Lemon Grove , brother Matt Mendoza of Florida. Roberta is also survived by her Husband of 51 years Dennis Cornelsen, her Daughters Micheline and Kristie Cornelsen, her grandchildren, Anthony Cornelsen, Keandra Henderson, Sacoria Henderson, Shyanne Morgan, Michaela Cornelsen and Haunistie Hauser. 11 great-grandchildren; Kei’Marri, Anthony Jr (Pie), Cassius, Sereniti, Faith, Novah, Anthony Jr (Junie), Jace, Malyah, Cairo and Karson. A host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends that are too many to count. 

 

Roberta’s smile and laughter would brighten even the darkest room and she will be truly missed by all. We know she is smiling down and watching over all of us because that’s just the kind of person she was. To be gone from earth is to be present with the Lord and until we meet again, fly high our beautiful, gorgeous angel Roberta, better known as “Robbie”