Barbara Jane Robbins

Barbara Jane Robbins (Spicknall) passed away peacefully in Lansing, Michigan, on February 26th at the age of 66. She was born in the Panama Canal Zone to Harrold Spicknall and Betty Mortland (Spicknall) on April 27, 1958. Barbara was preceded in death by her son Nicholas Robbins and her husband Dale Robbins, and by her later partner Michael Brewster.

In her youth Barbara enjoyed horseback riding and helped maintain the old dairy farm where she kept her horses. She was an active member of the youth group at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lansing and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She also loved the popular music of the day and was a voracious reader. Barbara graduated from Haslett High School in 1976. Following high school, she spent time in California and Michigan and attended Lansing Community College.

In 1987 Barbara moved to Connecticut and married Dale Robbins. Their son Nicholas was born in 1989 but was lost to SIDS. Barbara then lost Dale to cancer in 1996. After a time back in Michigan Barbara met a former Lansing neighbor Michael Brewster. She and Michael lived together in Texas for a few years and then moved back to Michigan where they remained together until Michael’s death in 2021.

Barbara was a special, sometimes troubled, but often joyful and inspirational person who will be greatly missed. She leaves behind her brother Mark Spicknall (NC) and her sister Kristin Damon (MI) and their families, her beloved aunts Barbara and Jane (her namesakes), and her cousins. Barbara will be remembered for her love of family, her passion for all things Scottish and for genealogy, for which the remaining and future family will always be indebted, for her great sense of humor, the beautiful blankets she crocheted for others, her love of birds and especially cardinals, her unwavering support for the less fortunate and those who are unjustly shunned and persecuted, and especially for her ability to push forward again and again to find some joy in life and connect with people even in the face of significant challenges.

A memorial get-together for family and close friends will be planned for later this year. Those wishing to honor Barbara’s memory may consider contributing to the Greater Lansing Food Bank, 5600 Food Court, Bath, MI 48808, (517) 853-7800, and/or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.