Robbie

Today we attended a memorial service for a wonderful person. I shared a few words at the service about Robbie. Here is my tribute to her.

I had the privilege of knowing Robbie for about the last 14 years. Robbie came into my life when my brother, Tom, married her daughter, Ann. I was trying to remember the first time I met Robbie and I am fairly certain that it was at Robert and Barbara's house at a big family picnic. And I remember liking Robbie from the first moment I met her.


When I met Robbie, she was already widowed. I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to meet her husband, Robert. I have heard so many wonderful stories about him and obviously he was a great man...look at the children he and Robbie produced...Robert and Ann.

One of the things I admired about Robbie was how comfortable she was being by herself. Robbie wasn't the kind of person who needed to be surrounded by a lot of people all the time. She loved being at home. Robbie took great pride in her home and loved to have a project to work on. And how about her yard and landscaping? Wow, she probably could have worked as a landscape architect. Her backyard was a haven for her and I know she spent a lot of time outside enjoying the fresh air. It seemed to me, during my conversations with Robbie, that she didn't need a lot of company...as long as she had her phone calls with Ann, her cat Friendly, her wonderful neighbors, some juicy magazines, American Idol, the Chicago Bears...she had plenty to keep her busy.

Even though Robbie didn't mind being alone, that didn't mean that she wasn't a party girl. When thrown into a social situation, she definitely stepped up. Whenever Robbie came to our house for a family celebration or Thanksgiving or whatever, she always showed up perfectly coiffed, in a sharp outfit, with stylin' shoes and she never came empty handed. Robbie never wanted to be the center of attention which was a good thing since her son-in-law Tom took that role. Tom loved to make her laugh. I know our family has always felt loved and appreciated by Robbie, particularly my son Wayne...ever since Robbie told him that he reminded her of a young Elvis.


Robbie was a strong person who was able to handle tough times. Just ask the guy who broke into her house several years ago. You don't mess with Robbie. I loved how Robbie was able to use her sense of humor and sharp wit to deal with difficult circumstances. She was the queen of one-liners.

Although we are going to miss Robbie terribly, we take comfort in knowing that she doesn' have to face any more tough times and the fact that she has now been reunited with Robert and Tom. God bless you, Robbie. We love you.