Elizabeth M. Robinson

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Elizabeth M. Robinson

OXFORD — Elizabeth “Betty” M. Robinson, 93, passed away on Friday, December 24, 2010 at Norway Rehabilitation Center in Norway, where she had resided since May. She was born on July 18, 1917, in Trenton, NJ, the daughter of Julius and Geneva Berger. Her mother was originally from Calais, and the family made regular summer trips down east. She was educated in Montclair, NJ schools, graduating from College High School in 1935. She attended Oberlin College, the New School of Fine and Industrial Arts, and Farmington Normal School, now known as the University of Maine at Farmington, where she received her certificate of Education in 1940. After graduation, she moved to Oxford to teach the third and fourth grades at Oxford School. Some in the community still remember Miss Berger as their teacher.

It was in Oxford that she met John B. Robinson, whom she married on May 9, 1942. Except for a brief interruption during World War ll, during which her husband was posted to various assignments while in the Navy, they were always “home” in Oxford. While Jher husband served his country, she traveled across the United States to be with him as much as possible, eventually returning to Oxford to await his return from the Pacific Islands. When she heard the news that World War ll had ended, she rang the bell at Robinson Manufacturing Company to alert all the village of the good news. After the war, Mr. Robinson returned to Oxford and went on to become President and Chairman of Robinson Mfg. Co. in Oxford, where Mrs. Robinson could be found visiting her beloved husband almost everyday.

She raised three children, Barbara, Joseph and George, who all reside in the Oxford Hills.

She had a great interest in genealogy that led her to become a longtime member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Maine. While a member, she served on the board of managers and many other committees and eventually became President. She was very honored to have served as the secretary of the Sulgrave Manor Board while a member of the NSCDA.

Mrs. Robinson enjoyed traveling, both to research genealogy and for pleasure. She and her husband traveled to many destinations, including Europe, Canada, and across the United States.

She was the longtime treasurer of the Freeland Homes Library in Oxford. She also served as chairman of the Women’s Committee of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, as a member of the House Committee of the Portland Museum of Art and the McClellan-Sweat Mansion and on the board of the Maine Historical Society. She was a member of Oxford Chapter #168, Order of the Eastern Star. She served as the American Red Cross Chapter Chairman, the Home Services Chairman, and Chairman of the Maine Council Services to Camps and Hospitals. She was a member of the Stephens Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Women’s Guild of the Oxford Congregational Church, the Norway Women’s Club, and the Home Crafters of Oxford County. She also was active in Victoria Society of Maine Women, Border Historical Society (Eastport) and the Longfellow Garden Club. She attended the Oxford Congregational Church and Christ Episcopal Church in Norway, and was active in the Christian Science Church. She was an accomplished artist in watercolor, and also enjoyed needlepoint.

Mrs. Robinson is survived by her brother, George Berger of Virginia; her three children, Barbara of Paris, Joseph and his wife Carrie of Paris and George and his wife Harriet of Otisfield; her grandchildren, Bethanne Graustein, John Robinson, Merilee Grubb, Geneva Robinson, Andrew Robinson and Thomas Robinson and her great-grandchildren, Robert and Elizabeth Graustein, John Joseph Grubb and Julianna and Joseph Robinson. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Gertrude Foote, and her husband of 57 years, John.

Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Friday, December 31 at 11 a.m. at Oxford Hills and Weston Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Rte. 26 in Oxford. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Oxford in the spring, time and date will be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Robinson's memory made be made to the Freeland Homes Library, PO Box 197, Oxford, ME 04270 or to the Tate House Museum, 1267 Westbrook Street, Portland, ME 04102. On-line condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.