Elsie S. Robertson, 94, longtime performer in Buffalo theaters
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March 5, 1915—Nov. 11, 2009
Elsie S. Robertson, a local actor who performed in Buffalo theaters for more than 40 years, died Wednesday in the Niagara Lutheran Church Home. She was 94.
Born in Barre, Vt., she moved to Buffalo with her family when she was 4. She was a graduate of East High School and joined the Navy WAVES during World War II. After the war, Ms. Robertson worked for the New York State Unemployment Office. She was employed for 18 years by General Motors Acceptance Corp. then worked as a crisis counselor for the Office of Child and Family Services. Her last place of employment was with Studio Arena Theatre, where she worked for 15 years, and was well into her 80s when she retired. She volunteered at the theater after that.
Ms. Robertson studied acting with Jane Wheeler of Studio Arena and with Stella Adler in New York City.
For more than 40 years, Ms. Robertson performed character roles in productions at Studio Arena, the Jewish Center and the Kavinoky Theater, among others. She last performed for Theater for Change, a local company headed by Darleen Pickering-Hummert.
“She did her last gig when she was 89 years old,” said Diane Gaylord, Ms. Robertson’s niece.
Ms. Pickering-Hummert added: “Elsie was a very gentle, beautiful soul who was very sharp, very bright and very funny. She was very well read, smart and loved to talk politics.”
No services are planned.
Published: November 14, 2009, 12:30 am