Cynthia Robinson, obituary

Mon, 06/14/2021 - 9:00pm

ROCKLAND — Cynthia A. Hallowell Robinson, 89, wife of Edgar G. Robinson, died peacefully in the comfort of her home, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Born in Rockland, April 7, 1932, she was the daughter of Frank Snell Hallowell and Elizabeth Winslow Hallowell.

Cynthia graduated from the old Rockland High School in 1950, having participated in basketball, numerous clubs, and student government roles, including Senior Class Secretary, which she maintained until her death. Shortly after graduation, Cynthia spent several years living and working in New Britain, Connecticut, but it was never home, so she returned to Rockland in her mid-20s, where she remained for life.

In 1959, Cynthia married Edgar Graham Robinson, and they raised their family in the same house in which she was raised.

For many years Cynthia was a homemaker. When her youngest child was old enough, she stepped into the front desk position at Bangor Daily News, taking over for her mother, who was retiring. She, too, retired from BDN
in 1991, and spent the next 30 years as Edgar’s best friend, enjoying gardening at home, camping, particularly with Charlie & Joan Brown, Aubrey & Margaret Tilley and Bud & Helen Hallowell at Alford Lake, feeding family and friends, and meeting up with friends at the local Willow Bake Shoppe and Rockland Café. Those times with family and friends meant the world to Cynthia. She can most be remembered for her amazing capacity to love, and to make others feel loved and understood, yet her gentle humility kept her from ever realizing just how many lives she touched. Countless hearts were mended, and bellies filled at her table throughout decades.

In the two days she received hospice care at home, upwards of 60 people stopped in to pour love on her and express all that she had meant to them. Though she was resting peacefully, she would squeeze their hand to let them know she was aware and had heard the amazing outpouring.

Cynthia was predeceased by her parents; brother Ernest “Bud” Hallowell and his wife/her special friend Helen C. Hallowell; brother-in-law Bruce Stratton, and childhood best friends Kathryn Curry Blackington and Barbara Winchenbach Nystrom.

Cynthia is survived by her husband, Edgar G. Robinson; children, Michael F. Robinson (Susan J. St. Clair), Susan E. Robinson (Ted Shorette), Steven E. Robinson (Lori L. Robinson) of Rockland; grandchildren Jordan L. St. Clair, Megan Robinson Tompkins (Kyle Tompkins); Olivia P. Robinson, Sierra R. Robinson, Gage E. Robinson, and Quinten I. Robinson; step-grandchildren Jamie Jenkins, Jachin Black (of Chile), and their families, and Trevor Shorette (Katie P. Hoover); great-grandchildren Wyatt Morse, Ashlynn Tompkins, Ivann Tompkins, Brycelyn Shorette, and Waylonn Tompkins, all of the Midcoast Maine area; sister Sandra H. Stratton; nieces Andrea Heal Norris, Dori Stratton; nephews, Tim Hallowell, Tom Hallowell; extended family and friends; special sister-in-law, Helen Robinson, niece Jackie Baron, friend Elaine Benson; as well as the rest of “The Breakfast Club/Rockland Café.”

A Celebration of Cynthia’s Life will take place outside at her home, at 39 Lakeview Drive, Rockland, on Sunday, July 11, 2021, between 12 and 4 p.m., with food, fresh air and fellowship, happy stories and smiles. People are welcome to bring a favorite dish or dessert if they are so moved. A Remembrance service will begin at 12:30 p.m. People are encouraged to carpool as parking is off-road, with the elderly parking the closest, and others in neighbors’ driveways (same side of street). A shuttle will be arranged. Please check back on the bchfh.com website for updates.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Cynthia’s life of feeding people and helping any way she could, a donation to the food bank would be a beautiful tribute and a broadening of her legacy. Also, please give a hug of love, healing and appreciation to your mothers/wives while they are still with you…

AIO Food and Energy Assistance, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841, in Memory of Cynthia H. Robinson.

To share a memory or story with Cynthia’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.