May 18, 1928 ~ November 4, 2022
With profound sadness, we announce that our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mildred Robbie, passed peacefully with her family by her side at the age of 94. She will lovingly be remembered by her children Denis (Judy), Carolyn (Doug), Jon, Lorne (Karen), and Autumn (Randy), her grandchildren Kate (Matt) and Jeff, her great grandchildren Van and Henry, and her dear friends Ellie and Paul Rapinchuk. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Stanley (Bob) Robbie, sister Mary Vorauer and brothers Joe and Frank Hamata.
Born in Winnipeg, Mildred grew up in the north end and was a graduate of St. John’s High School. Her first job was a movie usher. Later, she worked for the Canadian Wheat Board and then as a bank teller. She married Stanley (Bob) Robbie in 1950. Mildred lived briefly in Ottawa while Bob studied medicine. When she was expecting their second child, she kept her pregnancy a secret from her employer so that she could continue to work. Once her husband graduated, they moved to Wichita, Kansas for his unpaid internship. Mildred supported the family by working in a pawn shop. At 60, she was surprised when she received a US pension. In 1959, they settled in Beausejour, purchasing the house in which Mildred remained until her death.
In 1960, they bought their cottage on Dorothy Lake where lasting memories were made. Every summer, Mildred and her five children would live the lake life while Bob remained at home. When Bob passed in 1979, Mildred continued to enjoy the cottage, and did so for almost 60 years.
Mildred was a member of the Women’s Institute and the Catholic Women’s League. She spent many years as a 4-H Leader. She was one of the first Handi-Van Coordinators and also was on the Library Board.
Mildred was an intrepid traveller. Her favourite travel partners were her dear friends, Ellie and Paul Rapinchuk, who always included Mildred for a quick or long trip across the line. When her daughter-in-law was travelling alone by car from Mississauga to Alberta, Mildred, on a moment’s notice hopped in the car to accompany her west.
Mildred’s creativity was diverse. She kept her yard beautiful and at Christmas, her light display won awards. She was a talented seamstress and sewed the bridesmaid gowns for her children’s weddings. She created wonderful keepsake fur bears. Mildred loved to bake. The desire to try new and cherished recipes was lifelong. Last year, she made Hoska, her traditional Czech Christmas bread for her family.
Mildred had a soft heart. She never let a stray cat go hungry and shared table scraps with the cottage wildlife. She was a life long pet owner and always brought them to the cottage. The last of her cats brought her comfort and joy.
After the loss of her husband in her early 50’s, Mildred forged ahead, determined to stay in her beloved house and cottage and she made it happen. She was truly self-reliant throughout her widowhood with an incredible financial savvy. She took on whatever challenges arose. She would go on to get her Real Estate Licence when she was in her 50’s.
With all her strength and determination, her grace, quiet humour, beauty, style and kindness was ever present. She always made people feel good about themselves. And to many, Mildred always will be respectively remembered as Mrs. Robbie.
The family would like to thank the staff at Beausejour Hospital for their kind care of our mother in her final days and throughout the last few years. Their commitment to her made it easier knowing she was well looked after. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beausejour Hospital.
Private funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Sobering Funeral Chapel in Beausejour and interment at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens in West St. Paul.
“Today we love you more than yesterday, tomorrow we will love you less.”
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Eleanor
Our condolences to the family of this lovely lady.
I always enjoyed our visits . She was such a graceful lady always with that beautiful smile.
I always said she belonged on the cover of a nature magazine as she worked in the flower garden in her straw hat.
Such beauty and poise.
She will be missed.
Edna Barrie
Our sincerest condolences for you. You have our deepest sympathy. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. Our heart goes out to you.
Norma Buss
My condolences to the family of Mrs Robbie. Sorry to hear of her passing.
Rosanna
Heartfelt condolences to the family for the loss of a wonderful lady and monarch to a lovely family. She reminded me of what beauty really is. Thinking of you all!
Virginia Kubish
My sincere condolences to all of Mildreds’ family. She was a lovely lady, always so prim and proper and yet friendly and down to earth. She will be so missed by her family and friends. May she Rest In Peace.
Don & Carolyn Halbert
Our sincere condolences are extended to the Robbie family on the passing of their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mildred. While we did not have the opportunity to know Mildred well, we were the benefactors of her kindness when invited to her cottage for lunch. It was very apparent to Carolyn and I that what Mildred sowed, she also reaped. The love of her family is a prime example of this trait and no doubt contributed to her long, productive and independent life of 94 years. Rest well, Mildred.
Debbie and Larry Okolita
So sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a sweet soul. She was always very kind to me from my early years in Beausejour and took great interest in my family as they grew. She also shared her beautiful iris roots with me and they still blossom in our yard. A fitting reminder of the beautiful person she was. ♥️
Irene and Cliff Rerick
Condolences to the family! Your Mom was very much a well respected lady!
Patti Naaykens
I did not know Mildred but many times over the years I have heard of the wonderful woman she was. Judy always spoke of her with so much respect, admiration and love. Peter and I are so very sorry for your loss.
Ken and Terry Bachman
Our sincere condolences to the family of Mrs. Robbie.
We are very sorry for your loss.
Richard & Jan Hnatiuk
Dear Carolyn & Doug and the Robbie Family,
We were saddened to learn of the passing of your dear mother. She was a very elegant and classy lady. May the precious memories you hold in your hearts of your mom sustain you through this difficult time of loss and sorrow. Take care and know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many people.
Fred P. Rumak
My sincere condolences to the family, Denis, my school chum Carolyn, John, Lorne and “Adam” (Autumn) as we called her back then. Mildred was and remained “First Class”. Little did the poor woman know how many of Grandma Robbie’s doughnuts we stole, how many cigarettes we stole out of the living room and how many Playboy Magazines of Dr. Robbie’s we “borrowed’ to read, eat doughnuts and have a smoke with, in their back garage. Not to mention all of the eggs we smashed against the basement wall!
May she Rest in Peace!!
Gary & Linda Hamata
To Our Dearest Cousins,
Its so sad to hear of the passing of Auntie Mildred. When I think of her, she was always smiling, always welcoming, always caring, and always had a special treat ready for the visiting cousins.
Your dear Mom, our Dad, our Uncle Joe and our Auntie Mary, blessed us all with their laughter, their love of life, and their love and caring for their family and their family’s families.
With our love and condolences,
Gary, Linda and our Family