IN MEMORIAM: Carol Robbins, 90;
Active In Civic Life For Six Decades
ONEONTA – Carol Schwartz Robbins, an active participant and leader in Oneonta’s civic life for more than six decades, died at her home Sunday, May 1, 2016, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Carol’s life at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 5, at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 12 Ford Ave., Oneonta.
Carol Helen Schwartz was born Dec. 15, 1925, in Brooklyn, daughter of William John Schwartz and Mabel Lambert Schwartz.
In 1930, her brother, William Lambert Schwartz (Bill) was born. The family resided in Brooklyn until 1931 when they moved to Briarcliff Manor, where Carol attended the village school and graduated from high school in 1943. In 1945, she completed a two-year curriculum at Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia at Fredericksburg.
She then worked in New York City and Westchester County as executive xecretary in publishing at Hastings House and Time Life and as private secretary to writer Albert Q. Maisel. During this time she sang many times at Town Hall in Manhattan with the Golden Hill Chorus directed by George Mead.
On June 14, 1952, she married Philip Porter Robbins (Phil) after his discharge from the Army and graduation from Columbia University. They moved to Wooster, Ohio, where Phil taught at the College of Wooster, and Carol was secretary to the dean.
In 1953, they moved to Meadville, Pa., where Phil taught in the Business Department at Allegheny College and Carol was secretary to the librarian. While living there she gave birth to two children: Gary Frederick in 1955 and Gail Christine in 1959. In 1961 the family moved to Oneonta, where Phil joined SUNY Oneonta’s Business and Economics faculty, and where their third child, Joel William, was born.
In Oneonta, Carol was executive secretary of the Unitarian Universalist Church and administrative assistant of the Greater Oneonta Community Chest (United Way). In 1966-67, she served as president of SUNY Oneonta’s Faculty Wives Club. She retired from the United Way in June 1986. Carol continued to be active in the UU Church as assistant treasurer and co-historian; Girl Scouts Board of the Indian Hills Council; editor of the monthly newsletter of the Delaware Otsego Audubon Society; treasurer of the Center for Continuing Adult Learning (CCAL); and member of the Governing Board and Hospitality Committee chairman of the Glimmerglass Opera Guild, where she was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2004.
On Jan. 2, 1989, her husband and best friend, Phil, died. She is survived by her children: Gary F. Robbins, Gail C. Baden and Joel W. Robbins and his wife, Lisa Delsante; grandchildren Sarah Baden; Jonathan, Jordan, Jessica and Jeannine Robbins and several great-grandchildren. Carol was predeceased by her parents, brother and grandson Ryan Baden.
Carol loved to knit and sew original garments. She was a founding member of the “Sewing Ladies” a group of local women established in the 1960s that still meets every Wednesday afternoon. She never did like games, but she and the children in her life loved wind-up toys.
She knew the value of laughter and a good martini, as well as travels to new places. No doubt she will find this last trip quite an adventure. She especially enjoyed collecting creative obituaries. This obituary, written by Carol herself, concludes her collection.
A private burial took place at Glenwood Cemetery on Friday, May 6, 2016.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Guild of Glimmerglass Festival, PO Box 191, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, N.Y. 13820 in memory of Carol S. Robbins.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.
