Evelyn R. Robinson, age 83, died peacefully early Tuesday morning, January 24, 2012, surrounded by her loving family, at her son's residence.
Evelyn was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 10, 1928, one of five children of the late George and Helen (Knorr) Rittler.
She grew up in Baltimore, and attended school there. Going to work in her early teens, she worked as a phone operator, often connecting calls related to wartime events at the onset of WWII.
She met her husband, James P. Robinson, during WWII when he served in the North Atlantic with the U S Coast Guard aboard the USS Eastwind. They met the first time on a blind date along with her sister Kathy and another sailor, when Jim's ship had returned to port near Baltimore. Continuing their wartime courtship, Evelyn would often travel by train to Boston or Philadelphia when the Eastwind returned to East Coast ports. They married in Baltimore on May 22, 1945 briefly remaining there, but soon returning to Jim's childhood home in Perry County, Ohio, and raising their two children. They moved their family to Mt. Gilead in 1961 to be close to Jim's work.
Together, Evelyn and Jim enjoyed day trips, often hopping in the car and going to "wherever they ended up". They also enjoyed bowling and playing cards. Evelyn was an avid walker, regularly walking around Mt. Gilead, meeting and chatting with people on her way, long before walking became a trend.
Growing up near the Chesapeake Bay left Evelyn with a lifelong affinity for water. She enjoyed ocean beaches when she could and often vocalized her fascination with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connecting Maryland's shorelines. She especially enjoyed lighthouses and collected miniatures, photos, and paintings of them.
Evelyn was a loving homemaker, wife, and mother, always there to provide warmth and comfort. Having a good sense of humor, Evelyn often would catch a person off guard with her wit and gentle sarcasm. She focused on the simple pleasures of life….her family and friends.
She was extremely proud of her two children and loved visiting and "keeping tabs on her granddaughter and two great granddaughters".
She will be dearly missed by her two children: Steven (Nancy and daughter Monique) Robinson of Mt. Gilead, and Patricia (John) Stires of Queenstown, Maryland; one granddaughter: Heather (John) Norfolk of Chestertown, Maryland; two precious great-granddaughters: Mallory and Allison Norfolk; a brother, James (Mary) Rittler of Baltimore, Maryland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She had an enduring and loving relationship with her husband's sisters: Elsie Robinson, Margie Auker, and Louise (Warren) Cook of New Lexington, Ohio.
Including her husband Jim of over 57 years and her parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by three siblings: Richard (Sarah) Rittler, Dianne Edgar, and Kathy DePue.
The Robinson family will greet friends from Noon – 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2012, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring her life will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. John Moffett officiating. Burial will take place at a later date beside her husband in Maplewood Cemetery in New Lexington.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of your choice, and the American Heart and American Lung Associations, and they may be sent to the care of Snyder Funeral Home.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen to serve Evelyn's family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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