Mary Beth, known as MB, was born in 1929 in Grand Valley, Ontario, Canada to the Rev. William H. Crouch and Magdalene Mary “Madge” (Aubert) Crouch and grew up in Lancaster, NH where her father led the parish of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. MB was the eldest of four girls, and her father was keen that all his girls would go to college. MB was the first, attending UNH following her graduation from Lancaster High School. At UNH as a history major, she also learned about germs. She continued her education at the N.H. School of Accounting and Finance.
At UNH, MB met a very shy veteran, the late Edwin “Win” H. Robinson of Concord. They were married in March 1951 just before graduation. In May, Win was invited to join the staff at Spruce Pond Youth Conservation Camp at Bear Brook State Park where MB joined him. The next year she became a counselor. Also in 1952, MB became a U.S. citizen. The couple spent 1955 in Ann Arbor, Michigan while Win attended graduate school. It was there that their son, Corey was born. Back at Youth Conservation Camp in 1956, MB was named recreation director and stayed on for a total of 9 years influencing a thousand young campers. MB’s spirit of conservation values was established.
In the 1960’s MB was the co-owner of the Episcopalian Diocesan Church Supply Bookstore. Book collecting, especially while going to yard sales, became her lifelong passion. From 1970-72, MB was the Executive Director of the Concord Appeal for the N.H. Cancer Society. In 1972, she joined the Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests (SPNHF) as bookkeeper where she stayed for 35 years.
Beginning in 2003, MB directed her passions for reading and books toward the Concord Library and for the next twelve years was a member of the Board of Trustees. Never shy with her opinions, MB became a vocal proponent of library expansion, especially for the new Americans in Concord.
MB also served with pleasure on the Board for the Eleanor Haller Animal Welfare Fund. She was a true lover of all animals and her household always included interesting pets.
MB was predeceased by Win, her husband of almost 67 years, her sisters, Nan, Margaret and Zilla and her parents. She is survived by her son Corey and his wife Lee Jones and many loving nieces and nephews from California to New England and into Canada.
Plans for a memorial service are on hold until next year.
