My mom, Mary Virginia Robison, passed away on September 8, 2022 after a long battle with the after effects of a stroke which left her paralyzed on the left side of her body since 2017. Her passing was almost one year since my dad passed away in September 22, 2022. Her obituary. I also reposted the text below.
MARY VIRGINIA (HOWENSTINE) ROBISON
December 15th 1938 – September 8th 2022
Mary Virginia Robison of Lakeland, TN, passed away early morning 7am on September 8, 2022 from natural causes, surrounded by family members and friends. She was 84.
Mary (“Ginnie”) was born December 15, 1938 in Lima, Ohio to James Alfred Howenstine, Sr. and Catherine Beecher Chancellor Howenstine. Father was an entrepreneur and business manufacturer who innovated the use of the illuminated plastic sign in the 1950s. Mother was a descendant of the Beecher family noted for having family members engaged in religion, civil rights and social reform such as Presbyterian preacher, Lyman Beecher, and Harriet Beecher Stowe (author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”).
As a child, Ginnie spent many wonderful summers riding horses at Camp Nagawicka in Delafield, Wisconsin. A 1956 graduate of Lima High School, Lima, Ohio, she earned her B.A. degree from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. She had summer studies at the Sorbonne Paris and Bellevue Hospital New York City. Ginnie studied sculpture in college wanting to be an artist originally, but later went into the new developing field of occupational therapy, becoming one of the very first professional practioners.
In 1967, Mary married Richard Robison in Columbus, OH. Fifty-five years of happy marriage. With Richard, she owned a boarding house for the elderly near The Ohio State University campus in the 1980s.
Ginnie spent the majority of her adult life raising his three sons (Taylor, Monte and Barry) on Oaklawn Avenue, Columbus, Ohio and on Jewett Road in Powell, Ohio. She was a devoted loving mother.
In Powell, Ohio, the Robison family owned a small farm she affectionately called “Fencerow Farm” where Ginnie raised horses, chickens and ducks. While growing up, Ginnie loved introducing the boys to farm life and riding horses.
Ginnie loved movies, with a few of favorites being The Black Stallion and Phar Lap. Two of her favorite artists were Rosa Bonheur and Auguste Rodin. But more than anything else, Ginnie’s true love in life were horses. She knew everything about horses and would become enraptured talking everything about them. She was a passionate devotee of all animals. Ginnie was a lifelong supporter of various causes for animals and member of Grace Brethren Church in Worthington, Ohio.
Along with her husband, Mary moved to Memphis, TN in 1995 so she could pursue her occupational therapy career. She was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church in Lakeland, TN. Ginnie suffered a stroke in 2017, leaving her paralyzed on the left side of her body.
Preceded in death by her sister Elinor Howenstine, brother James Howenstine, and eldest son, Taylor Robison, and husband Richard Robison. Survived by siblings, Louise Whiteford, John Howenstine and Tom Howenstine; sons Monte Robison and Barry Robison. Preceded in death by her sister, Elinor Howenstine, who died in 2011.
Survived by two great sons, Monte Robison and Barry Robison, and many nieces and nephews. Her wonderful grandchildren are Miles Andrew Robison and Luke Taylor Robison of Austin, Texas.
It was Ginnie’s wish to be cremated. There will be no service. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue – her favorite charity.
“In Paradise you will be the great artist that God meant you to be. Ah, how you will delight the angels!”
– Karen Blixen (Babette’s Feast)
