Obituary of Helen A. Robinson

Helen Ann (Chaney) Robinson, age 92 years, passed, surrounded by her loved ones, on August 17th, 2024 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Franklin, cousin Jerry Bowen, sisters Jean, Mary Jane, and brother Dale. She is survived by nephew John “Mike” Chaney and wife Theresa, niece LeAnn and grand nieces Allison (Chaney) Lusk and Angela (Chaney) Hilsher. Cousins Connie Bogard (Phillip), Mindi Whitehead (Daniel), Xerxes & Celia Whitehead and Jimmy Bowen (Sheri). Nephews, Hugh Fisher (Vanessa), Courtney Fisher (Sandra) and Leighton Fisher (Donna), along with many great nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her friend Sandy Garber. Helen was born on March 3,1932 in Hillsboro, Ohio to parents Mae McNeil and Leo Chaney. She graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1950. Several years later, she joined her fiancé, Franklin E. Robinson, in Kingston, Jamaica where they married in 1964. Up until Frank’s passing, in 2014, they enjoyed many years of married life together. While living in Jamaica, Helen attended classes and formed friendships at the College of Arts, Science and Technology and at the University of the West Indies (Mona, Jamaica). She was proud of the Culinary Classes she attended there, while sharing her “famous” Pumpkin Pie recipe with neighbors and fellow students. This is where she also developed and perfected her delicious, family favorite, Chocolate Chip Cookies, that people happily waited for at every family get together. As Helen happily cooked, her husband Frank was working as an Electrical Engineer with ALCOA (Aluminum Company of America) and as the hungry recipient, he was surprised each evening with one of Helen’s newest recipes. In 1965, Helen and Frank returned to the United States from Jamaica and took up residency in Orange County, California. While in California, Helen worked as an early childhood educator while her husband, Frank, continued working with ALCOA. Some years hence Helen and Frank relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where Helen attended the University of Pittsburgh and was first conferred a Bachelor of Arts degree and later a Master of Arts Degree in Behavioral Sciences in 1980. In 1979, while in Pittsburgh, Helen and Frank sponsored Frank’s sister, Cynthia and her three sons (Frank’s nephews) Hugh, Courtney, and Leighton to the United States from Jamaica. Courtney and Leighton resided (1979) with Helen and Frank in Pittsburgh while Cynthia and Hugh later made their way from Jamaica to Florida. In approximately 1989 Helen and Frank moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where Frank, continued working with ALCOA and where he and Helen formed beautiful friendships with new friends and with congregants and faith leaders at St. Elizabeth Episcopalian Church and with the participants and organizers of St. Elizabeth’s Book Group. While in Knoxville, Helen took on senior management administrative responsibilities and, in her capacity, supported the development, advancement, and care of individuals with special needs. Helen and Frank enjoyed travel and visited England, Poland, Ireland, Portugal,Germany and many many other European countries. While in Knoxville they enjoyed the Cultural Arts and Theater, at Clarence Brown Theater at the University of Tennessee, along with the Musical Arts and the Symphony at the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center. Both Frank and Helen were strong advocates of Higher Learning and knew the importance of a good Education, donating and supporting many students through the ALCOA Credit Union and the University of Tennessee. A few years after Frank passed, Helen moved to Pembroke Pines, Florida, in 2016 to be closer to her family, Hugh and Leighton and their respective wives Donna and Vanessa. While in Florida, Helen resided at Century Village, Pembroke Pines where she was an active participant in the Book Club, the Democrat Club and the “Inspite of Club” (for people with mobility challenges). She enthusiastically enjoyed Century Village’s theatrical performances with Hugh, Vanessa, Courtney and Sandra and friends– Pat, Odilo, Thyra, Fran, Debbie and Julie. Let it be known that their greetings of “Hello Aunt Helen” meant the world to her. Between her arrival in Florida in 2016 and her passing on August 17, 2024, Helen, Hugh, and Vanessa developed deep relationships that culminated with countless global travels and activities. Helen happily referred to them collectively, as the Three Musketeers. Helen and Vanessa bonded over their mutual love of reading, compatible companionship, and found the love and friendship that forms as a surrogate bond of a mother & daughter. She and Vanessa made time for each other, communicating every day via phone or their daily “Good Morning” texts. Helen was so proud and happy to be able to learn to text at age 90, claiming that she thought it was one of the best things to ever come about in her lifetime, second only to her beloved Kindle, which she took everywhere so she could read her books. Her nephew Hugh valued the time they spent together, having regular conversations over cups of coffee. Their outings to local coffee houses were ubiquitous, and their conversations brought warmth, benefit, and enlightenment to both. Later, their trips to Helen’s doctors' appointments became opportunities to have rewarding conversations and to enhance their bonding. Helen continued to travel and as recently as the spring of 2024, she celebrated her 92nd Birthday in Punta Cana, Mexico, followed soon after with a cruise along the US and Canada eastern seaboards, Quebec City and Montreal. Always with a good book in hand. Helen asked to be remembered as an advocate of Women’s Rights (quietly doing her part from the sidelines) and as a believer in Equality for all. She was always aware of the importance of a woman’s right to vote, never taking it for granted, as shown by her lifelong voting record. A Celebration of her life will be scheduled with family and friends for December 28th of 2024. Donations can be made in Helen Ann Robinson’s name at Globalfundforwomen.org Please keep Family in your thoughts and prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial chapel is honored to assist the Robinson family with the arrangements. 954-438-8222.