Obituary: Robinette, Virginia Mae
Age 87
Virginia “Ginny” was born on March 25, 1927 in Seattle, WA to Clifford and Mildred Lucas.
A year later she moved to Spokane with her family and grew up in north Spokane.
She was a proud graduate of North Central High School in 1945.
In her youth she was a member of the Drill Team, Red Feathers, and Job’s Daughters, serving as Honored Queen.
She attended Eastern Washington University for a short time where she met Cecil Robinette of Medical Lake, WA who would become her husband of 49 years.
They began their life together working a dairy farm in Cheney for three years.
Cec became an educator in Spokane and they returned to the original dairy farm years later to enjoy remodeling the home and living in the country.
“The farm” was a great source of enrichment to the grandchildren.
Virginia lived a full life and was a terrific mother to her three children whom she regarded as her greatest joy.
She served as a Cub Scout den mother and in PTA when the children were young.
She has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1954, where she and Cecil served as Sunday School teachers for many years as well as being involved in their Mariners group.
She had a tender and generous heart for those less fortunate.
She gave faithfully and found great pleasure in donating to many charities throughout her lifetime.
She held Bible Studies for many years with the residents of the Carlisle Hotel in downtown Spokane and as a result of that work was recognized by the community with the Great Citizen of Spokane Award.
She was also an active member of the Democratic Party through her adult life.
In other community work she served on the EWU Alumni Board, Spokane County Parks Board and was a long time member of PEO Chapter EQ.
In addition to her community work she was employed by Spokane Public Schools as an Instructional Assistant at North Central HS where she made many lifelong friendships.
She also served as the Jr. and Sr. High Coordinator at KSPS TV and as a Librarian for Spokane Public Library.
She lived life with style and class, was a terrific cook and loved to play the piano.
She could put on a full family dinner with the appearance of ease.
She loved spending time with her children and their families.
She was particularly fond of all of her grandchildren who called her Mimi.
She knew how to make each of them feel special.
After Cecil died she found great friendship with Harland Hill for 12 years before he passed.
She was fiercely independent and was able to remain so till the end.
A special thanks to the folks at Royal Plaza Retirement Center where she lived for six years and to Hospice House North for their tender care in her last days.
She was preceded in death by her husband Cecil Robinette and her brother John Lucas, and is survived by her brother Burt Lucas and wife Marion of Quincy, WA, sister Maryann Kroll of Spokane, daughter Jane Orlob and husband Doug, sons Thomas Robinette and wife Karen and Martin Robinette and wife Jody all of Spokane; grandchildren, Lynn Weimer , Matthew Orlob, Wyatt Orlob, Danae Orlob, Holly Counts, and Ross Robinette, Marcus Robinette, Evan Robinette, Stephanie Robinette and seven great-grand kids.
Please send all memorial gifts to Cup of Cool Water Ministries, 1106 West 2nd Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201 or http://cupofcoolwater.wordpress.com .
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar Street, Monday March 2nd, 2015 at 2:00 pm