Carol Audrey Robinson

Back in 1994 there was a little known actor named Tom Hanks who starred in a movie that I'm pretty sure no one else ever heard of. It was called Forrest Gump and it was about a simple kind of guy whose mother meant the world to him. And according to Forrest Gump, momma always said life was like a box of chocolates, because you never know what you're going to get. Now this might have some truth to it and it might be something that his mother often said but my own momma had a different philosophy when it came to life; why bake one batch of chocolate chip cookies when you can bake four batches of them? And anyone who has seen her bake knows that she never baked for only a few people, but that she always baked enough to make sure she was able to share with others. That is the type of person Carol Audrey Robinson was and how I always will remember her.

For those who don't know me, and for those keeping score at home, my name is Daniel and Carol was my mother. We are joined here in terms of family today by her sister, Mary-Lou Robinson and her partner, Ernie; her eldest son, Paul and his wife, Lisa; and Carol's grandchildren, Rylan and Brayden. All around us, close friends who share in our time of grief and I thank you all for coming.

Now what can I say about my mother that everyone here doesn't already know? I could talk at length about her boundless compassion for others, go on and speak to charities she donated to, volunteer work she did, the times she gave space to those in need, fed the people who were in need, or simply gave as much of her time to listen as someone needed.

I could also go into detail about how her love for fishing and camping tied into her quest to bond tightly with her family. You could hear all those Red Fisher type stories about the ones that got away, roasting marshmallows under the stars at the camp in the summer, or how on the way to Elliott Lake one year that generous Carol spirit had her helping someone who had crashed into the ditch on the side of the road. As she helped, they were a bit delirious to the point of giving her a little scare and from there sprung the legend of Crazy Louie who was always coming to get you and she would laugh as we made up stories to tell about him around the campfire.

Her compassion was only rivaled by her seemingly inexhaustible energy. I was once a much younger man and even then I felt tired watching her run around doing her thing of meeting and greeting people, smiling and laughing, always up to some domestic job or running about getting things done. Even when she was having her relaxing time out in a boat with a line in the water she proved to be an unstoppable force; Mary-Lou and Ernie can attest to the time where she snagged a lure of hers on the bottom of the lake and she jumped out of the boat to get it! You just can't make this stuff up.

But I'd like to tell you the stories that I knew; Carol was my mother and that gives me a pretty interesting perspective into her that you might not be aware of. We spent a lot of time on weekends watching television or piling into the minivan to get some "running around" done. I'd see her run the gamut of emotions throughout the day and knew that everything she did, she did out of the love for her family. She was ruthlessly protective of her children, like a fierce momma bear protecting her cubs that you didn't want to face. She went to bed late everyday knowing that she would have to wake up early to do it all again. For the life of me, I cannot understand how she did it but she did. My mom could do the impossible.

She also had an impossible amount of patience. I am most certainly not a perfect son. I would like to say that I was unpredictably tempestuous but that's a euphemism for being a shithead. But I certainly drove her nuts. Yet somehow she really only cared that I was safe and that I was doing the right thing. She taught me to be honest, to always get a girl home safe, to protect the people who need protection, and to never give up. Well, it seemed to work, but even when I sorted my life out and got on track I knew that I was still driving her nuts. One time I told her I was applying for a tour in Afghanistan back in 2009, and justified it with, "Mom, it's Afghanistan. How much trouble could I possibly get into?!" You know that 'mom' look that only moms can give you? Did you know you can feel that 'mom' look over a phone call? Didn't I tell you she could do the impossible?

My most vivid memory of her was watching her in the kitchen with a telephone cord tucked under one arm while she held this giant cream-coloured bowl from probably the 1900s in which she made at least a million cookies for us to eat. She'd talk for hours while baking in this bowl over the years. Even before the digital world overwhelmed us with spreadsheets and smartphones, Google and YouTube, she was the original multitasker.

Not every day was easy and not every day was bright and wonderful. My mother worked hard for long hours each day and often gave more than she had to give. She could pour from an empty glass and get blood from stones. It wasn't a miracle that kept her getting up every day and kept her going that whole time, nor was it magic that had her able to continue facing tedious work amidst stormy days. The key to her ceaseless abilities to simply keep going despite all the hardships, the resistances, and the calamities that fell in her path was nothing more than love. No secret, no whimsical remedy. It was simply love. She loved her family. Every time she looked at her husband, Darrel, or when she strolled through the garden he had grown, she found herself full of love. When she looked at her sons with all of their imperfections, what she felt was love and that all her efforts were worth it.

When it comes to my mother, Carol, those who knew her can never forget her, and those that loved her will always feel the loss of her. To us all, the weight of the world which she carried is now a burden we must all share and to this duty we go boldly in her stead with a solemn pride. It may now seem to us that the flowers might never display the full depths of their most vibrant colours, nor that the birds overhead may sing quite so bravely against the howling winds but there is yet hope to be had in what I learned from her that I might share with you all:

We can push back against the darkness and yet night will still fall. We can rage against the thundering storm and yet it still will shake the very skies above. But storms will pass and dawn will come, and the birds will sing all the louder amongst flowers that bloom all the brighter and bring us all the hope that we will see her once again someday, and give us a part of the peace she has now found.

Thank you for your kind attention.

"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." - Saint Francis de Sales

ROBINSON, Carol Audrey Robinson, cherished sister and beloved mother, passed away suddenly at the age of 68 at Sault Area Hospital on Thursday, December 16, 2021.

She was a peerless woman with an incredibly large heart and boundless compassion for others, a loving grandmother, a devoted wife, and a beautiful soul. While her priorities remained focused on her family and her friendships, she put forth much effort into aiding those in need with what she could, showcasing the depth of her generous nature. Her favourite activities included knitting the warmest gifts for those around her, baking what simply were the tastiest of pastries, and every chance she got she would go fishing. During her adult life she worked a variety of jobs but she ultimately found her life calling in the field of property management. Through it all she dreamed of moving out to the west coast of Canada and in 2004 she embarked on a new adventure in Vancouver, BC. While there, she met and fell in love with her soulmate, Darrel Evans.

During her life she lived with gentle simplicity, finding delight in providing the small comforts of a loving home. She cherished her children and her cats that she adopted throughout her life. Carol was an absolute force of nature when it came to helping those in need and those around her. She would always invite acquaintances, coworkers, and newly-met people into her home to share a coffee or some of her baking with, espousing the philosophy that there are no strangers; only friends you haven't met yet.

Carol loved nature and took special pleasure in touring gardens and watching birds sing and fly, especially robins (which she affectionately called 'Robinsons'.) Some of her favourite memories include several summer family fishing trips to the camps at Tunnel Lake. In her time on the west coast she led the community in her complex, always going above and beyond to meet the needs of all the tenants and friends in the property she managed. She leaves behind her family who misses her deeply, dear friends who mourn her loss, and shoes too big for anyone else to fill.

She joins her husband Darrel Evans and her parents Melvin and Audrey; step-father, Lynn; and sister, Beverly. She is survived by her sister, Mary-Lou and her partner, Ernie; son, Daniel; son, Paul; daughter-in-law, Lisa; niece, Julie; nephew, Paul; step-daughter, Nicole; grandsons, Rylan and Brayden; great-niece, Ella; great-nephew, Matthew; and countless friends throughout the world.

A celebration of Carol's life will occur from 1 pm to 3 pm with a time of sharing at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522). Covid restrictions apply, masks and social distancing.

Memorial donations (payable by cheque or online) in memory of Carol may be made to the charity of your choice.

* * * * * * * * * *

ROBINSON, Carol Audrey Robinson, cherished sister and beloved mother, passed away suddenly at the age of 68 at Sault Area Hospital on Thursday, December 16, 2021.

She was a peerless woman with an incredibly large heart and boundless compassion for others, a loving grandmother, a devoted wife, and a beautiful soul. While her priorities remained focused on her family and her friendships, she put forth much effort into aiding those in need with what she could, showcasing the depth of her generous nature. Her favourite activities included knitting the warmest gifts for those around her, baking what simply were the tastiest of pastries, and every chance she got she would go fishing. During her adult life she worked a variety of jobs but she ultimately found her life calling in the field of property management. Through it all she dreamed of moving out to the west coast of Canada and in 2004 she embarked on a new adventure in Vancouver, BC. While there, she met and fell in love with her soulmate, Darrel Evans.

During her life she lived with gentle simplicity, finding delight in providing the small comforts of a loving home. She cherished her children and her cats that she adopted throughout her life. Carol was an absolute force of nature when it came to helping those in need and those around her. She would always invite acquaintances, coworkers, and newly-met people into her home to share a coffee or some of her baking with, espousing the philosophy that there are no strangers; only friends you haven't met yet.

Carol loved nature and took special pleasure in touring gardens and watching birds sing and fly, especially robins (which she affectionately called 'Robinsons'.) Some of her favourite memories include several summer family fishing trips to the camps at Tunnel Lake. In her time on the west coast she led the community in her complex, always going above and beyond to meet the needs of all the tenants and friends in the property she managed. She leaves behind her family who misses her deeply, dear friends who mourn her loss, and shoes too big for anyone else to fill.

She joins her husband Darrel Evans and her parents Melvin and Audrey; step-father, Lynn; and sister, Beverly. She is survived by her sister, Mary-Lou and her partner, Ernie; son, Daniel; son, Paul; daughter-in-law, Lisa; niece, Julie; nephew, Paul; step-daughter, Nicole; grandsons, Rylan and Brayden; great-niece, Ella; great-nephew, Matthew; and countless friends throughout the world.

A celebration of Carol's life will occur from 1 pm to 3 pm with a time of sharing at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522). Covid restrictions apply, masks and social distancing.

Daniel Gendron is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting starting at 12:45 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2895256669?pwd=T3RXNS8wRllsWFBpQWFXOU5oeXY4Zz09, Meeting ID: 289 525 6669 Passcode: carol1. Memorial donations (payable by cheque or online) in memory of Carol may be made to the charity of your choice.