Claron Angela Fingal Robinson
July 25, 1929 -Apr 23, 2024
Roseau, Dominica WI
Clarie, Aunty Clays, Ma Rob, Robbie, as her family and friends affectionately called her spent much of her childhood growing up in Portsmouth, Dominica WI, with her parents and siblings. Her father George Eilas Fingal having been the Headmaster and Teacher of the local schools in and around Dominica.
On January 26th, 1956, she married Edward R. Robinson with whom she was married for 31 years until his death in1987. Together their union produced 4 children (Dawn, Derek, Joanne, and Eve), 5 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
As a young woman she tried her hand at teaching but was disillusioned when other teachers got upset because she had stored the hats of her younger sisters with hers in the teachers' cupboards. She went on to work as a store clerk where she worked as a showcase decorator. She was well liked by the store owner, Mr.Yiobe Dibb, and her coworkers. She talked of him and his wife very fondly, because they had been kind and helped her and her coworkers a lot. She would help her family with her earnings. Later, she would open her own small grocery shop called Ace Snackette. She would spend late nights baking cakes, tarts, meat patties to sell in the shop. She was an industrious and hard-working person.
In December of 1966, one short week before Christmas she immigrated to the US with an invitation from her sister-in-law Marvlyn Robinson. Like so many other immigrants before her, she came to the US (New York) with a pocket full of the hopes and dreams of starting a new life for her family. In New York she did many odd jobs, but one in particular would be the opportunity she needed. She was hired by Dr. Richard Arnold and his wife in Mount Vernon, NY to serve as a caretaker of their 2 children and as a housekeeper. While the Arnold family was very kind to her, she often spoke of how lonely it was and how she missed her family, especially her children. The youngest of which was 18 months old when she’d left. Her sacrifices worked out because her employer would sponsor her for permanent residency.
In 1967 she would be joined by her husband and eventually her children, her mother and her brothers and sisters.
In 1968, she would land a job at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan where she worked as a Unit Clerk for 26 years. She trained many young women at the job and became well respected by her fellow coworkers. To them she was known as Robbie. She communicated with a few of her coworker's way after retirement. They looked forward to receiving her special fruit cake for the holidays. When she wasn’t able make it anymore, she recruited the aid of her daughters to help her continue making them.
At Mount Sinai she would visit human resources weekly, scouting for available jobs for family and friends who she knew needed work. Two of her sisters worked and retired from Mount Sinai. Her three daughters also worked at the hospital for a while in some capacity.
She had a love for her family and others and was always looking for a way to help.
Clarie was kind, sweet, generous and welcoming. In her quiet demeanor, she had a herculean strength. She would move mountains to help her family. She made sacrifices, kept promises and opened her home to ones who needed a place to stay. She wanted her family to have the same opportunities that she had been afforded.
In 1994, she retired and helped with her grandchildren. She had a thirst for learning and registered at Queensborough Community College where she took classes.
In 2001 she would relocate to Stockbridge, Georgia with her sister Sylma, joining their older sister Maudlin. In Georgia, she had a good life for 16yrs. She would often express that those were some of the best years of her life. She belonged to St. Augustine Church where she made many new friends. Her neighbor Rhonda and her young family adopted her as a mom and Grandmother. Her nephew Kirk visited her daily. He had dinner with her and made her laugh, and there were also many nieces and nephews nearby.
Her life would take a turn when she was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2007. The surgery was difficult, but she came through with faith and grace as she would. She would remain in remission for about 16 years.
She would lose her dear sister Sylma in 2008 after which she spent time between Georgia, Florida and New York visiting her children.
After the passing of Sylma Clarie adopted her dog Rusty who became her dear companion and who she doted on, and he never left her side. Rusty was 17 when he passed, and it devastated her.
In 2018 she was back in New York permanently. She would spend her days avidly following the politics of the day. She always wanted to know your thoughts on what was happening and why? She would say, “l just want to learn more about American Politics and government.” In recent times the cancer recurred and on the morning of Tuesday April 23rd, 2024, she would succumb to her illness. God would end her suffering and call her home.
She was preceded in death by her parents:George Elias and Mildred Fingal, Husband,Edward (Eddie) Robinson Siblings: Garner Fingal, Algernon Fingal, and Sylma (Geraldine) Williams
She leaves to mourn her four children and their spouses: Annette (Dawn) Elwin -Goldkranz & Robert Goldkranz, Derek & Maureen Robinson, Joanne & Peter Silas, and Eve Robinson
Grandchildren:Nestor Elwin, Julian Robinson, Craig Robinson, Jeremy Silas and Dharia Silas
Great grandchild:Jayden James Robinson
Her living siblings: Maudlin Rock, Clement Fingal and Isaline Starks any many nieces, nephews and friends. Clarie was a special lady to many. Bearing in mind that without her actions and sacrifices all our lives would be different. She will be sorely missed!
May Jesus take you into his arms and give you rest! You are loved.
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