Margaret Helena Robinson Obituary

Margaret Helena (Gibbons) Robinson, 81, of North Kingstown, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on December 7, 2018 at Roberts Health Centre. For 35 years she was the devoted wife of Gerald Robinson, who preceded her in death. Peggy took great joy in her family and was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin, and she will be missed. She is survived by her six children Paula Robinson of St. Paul, MN, Kevin Robinson (Lisa) of West Greenwich, MaryBeth Boettger (Jason) of Wakefield, James Robinson (Ellen) of North Kingstown, Thomas Robinson (Karen) of North Kingstown, and Brian Robinson (Jennifer), of North Attleboro; three sisters Anne Walker of Naples, FL, Catherine McLaughlin and Mary Gibbons both of Warwick; and thirteen grandchildren Ashley, Caroline, Andrew, Stephanie, Ryan, Lauren, Alexandra, Rylie, Meghan, Delaney, Sean, Jillian, and Allison. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Margaret (Hackett) Gibbons, and by her brothers Charles Gibbons, Gerald Gibbons, and Eugene Gibbons.

Peggy was born at the Providence Lying-In Hospital and grew up in the Norwood neighborhood of Warwick, where she forged life-long friendships. After graduating from Nelson W. Aldrich High School, she attended the University of Rhode Island and earned a BS in Business Education. In addition to being a dedicated stay-at-home mother during much of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, she served as a high school business teacher for 20 years in Providence and West Warwick, retiring in 2000 as Chair of the Business Department at West Warwick High School. She taught students the skills needed to succeed in the workplace, including all the emerging computer applications. Of particular note, she founded the Academy of Finance, a program still active today, where West Warwick and surrounding area students take courses, participate in internships, and earn college credit as a fast-track to finance and insurance jobs. Peggy always cherished the connections she made with her students and with her teacher colleagues.

Peggy moved to North Kingstown in 1974 and enjoyed spending time with her many friends from the Terre Mar/Shady Cove neighborhood, from St. Bernard Church, from the NK Soccer Association, and with her various social groups focused on celebrating her Irish-American heritage. She especially loved RI summers at the beach, family gatherings around the pool, and shopping for her grandchildren.

Peggy’s family is grateful for the compassionate care provided to her by Dr. Jennifer Maude and her staff, and the staff at Roberts Health Centre and Beacon Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 11 at 10:00 am at St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Rd, North Kingstown, with a gathering for prayer and procession beforehand at the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home at 8:45 am. Condolences may be shared during visiting hours at Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, Monday, December 10 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Peggy’s memory to the North Kingstown Recreation Department, which provided so many memorable experiences for Peggy and her young family in the 70s and 80s. Donations may be sent to the: Town of North Kingstown Recreation Department, In Memory of Margaret Robinson, C/O Chelsey Dumas, 100 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852.