Rest your feet and set a spell.
I’m Dorothy, Bill’s sister. The first time that I met Robin was at Bill’s house . She was sitting on the piano stool with my sister Nancy. I thought that she had the most beautiful voice. Each time there after when we had the pleasure of seeing her, WE GOT TO HEAR HER SING. I loved Robin, and also her voice. I will miss her.
In sadness,
Dorothy
[A thoughtful recollection from Emory R. Guest written to Robin’s brother Sperry]
I am Uncle Bill’s second son (if he had one). I enjoyed having lunch at their house every Friday for a year or two. Most of the time Robin would be able to join us. I really enjoyed helping her set the table or bring out drinks to the patio table. But most of all, cloth napkins. She wouldn’t settle for anything less even though it was just a sandwich whipped up in the kitchen with spare items, often a fried Reuben sandwich. She had my napkin and napkin ring assigned to me to use each time I came over.
The reason I enjoyed helping her in any way I could is because she made me feel loved, comfortable and welcome from the first moment I met her. She always greeted me with a big smile and kiss which I returned with pleasure. I truly felt like she was my companion as much as Uncle Bill’s during our Friday lunches. If I had to come up with one thing negative to say about her to save my life, I would just start praying for mercy because I would be on my way to meet the Lord. But what was up with that art she hung on the walls? It sure made for some interesting conversations when I brought my two young sons over for family gatherings.
I love your sister and am sad that I didn’t get to have more time to enjoy her. Another reason to look forward to eternity in Heaven I suppose.
With love,
Emory
One of the most endearing qualities of Robin was her vulnerability and her open spirit.
The memory of those qualities is forever cherished in my memory. One of my favorites occurred as we stood in front of the kitchen sink at the ranch after one of our Thanksgiving feasts. She told me about something that she was struggling with and ask me what I thought she should do. From that time on we were dear friends as well as cousins. There was no guile in Robin!
[I] remember how whenever Robin began to speak, we would all listen but with our mouths open in rapt & adoring attention ( my mother one time had to tell me to close my mouth while staring adoringly at Robin). A year or so ago, my Beeville book club invited Robin to come to visit and talk about her books, how she came up with ideas, where & who were her muses and etc. My living room was filled and crowded and as Robin spoke, oh my gosh, I realized, everyone in the room was staring at Robin, spellbound and…with their mouths wide open, in absolute rapture!!
Later when I laughed and told Robin & Bill, Robin, in characteristic fey amazement, played her, as we all can attest, straight man role, unbelieving what I had said. I can hear her now, ” oh Heather!” I have received so many calls from my friends in Bville who have heard that I had lost my dearly beloved Robin. She touched so many lives with her sweetness and zest.
