- Date Of Birth: October 4, 1923
- Date Of Death: October 27, 2016
- State: Idaho
Mary Robinson passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2016 surrounded by family. She had just celebrated her 93rd birthday earlier in the month.
Mary was born in Deora, Colorado on October 4, 1923, the daughter of George R. and Rose (Lasley) Robbins. Soon after, her family moved to a farm near Grandfield, Oklahoma where she grew up with 3 brothers and 6 sisters. At age seventeen, she left home and moved to Enid, Oklahoma where she worked as a waitress. Later she relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico to work at the Hilton House. During the World War II, she went to live with an aunt in Oklahoma City where she eventually met her future husband Billy Ray Robinson when he came home after serving in the US Navy. After his discharge from the Navy, Bill went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad in Needles, California and he and Mary were married in Las Vegas on May 18, 1946.
Mary had two children, a daughter Brenda and a son Bobby Ray, who both reside in Caldwell. While living in Needles, Mary also worked for Denny’s Restaurant for 19 years. In 1996, Mary and Bill happily celebrated their 50th anniversary with a party at granddaughter Tara Albisu’s home in Caldwell. Bill passed away in 1999 after an extended illness and Mary remained in Needles for 3 more years, during which she served as president of her local Elks Ladies Auxillary.
In 2003, she moved to Caldwell to be closer to her daughter and the rest of her family. To keep busy, she volunteered at West Valley Hospital for 5 years and was a very active volunteer at the Caldwell Senior Center for 13 years where she had many friends and memories. Bingo on Tuesday night was a favorite activity.
She was preceded in death by her husband Billy Ray, 5 sisters and 3 brothers.
She is survived by her sister Alma Pittinger of Texas, daughter Brenda (Walter) DeLong of Caldwell, ID, their children Regina (Russell) Robins, Tara (Blaine) Albisu and Brian (Lisa) DeLong and great grandchildren Mackenzie, Sydnie, Courtney, Tanner, Averi, Alexis, Lacy and Daxton; son Robert Ray Robinson of Caldwell, ID, his daughters Crystal (David) Guess, Brittany (Mike) Goulet, and great grandchildren Annabella, Adellia, Arlisson, Westley, Carter and Claire.
Special thanks to her friend of over 60 years, Faye Lyons of Boise; Jo Andrews of Needles, CA; Opal Gully, LaVonne Painter, Helen Shaffer, Elva Burris and Judi Cronk of Caldwell and her many friends at the Caldwell Senior Center. Very special thanks to Abode Hospice and their staff members Terri and Julianne who helped her through her final days.
We love you Granny. May you rest in peace!
