Robina Ciccone

There are no words to describe the type of person that Robina was. She was full of life and love and she shared that warmth with every person that she met. If you were lucky enough to know Robina, you know just how selfless she was. She helped her loved ones in need without a second thought, whether that be family, friends, or even strangers. Robina was the perfect example of a loving wife to her husband Joey and a caring mother to her daughter Lola. She put everyone’s needs before her own, especially her husband and daughter, and left a lasting impact on everyone who was blessed to be loved by her. You could feel the love through her actions and words, and especially through her incredible cooking that always brought people together. Even though she was a proud Armenian, she was a mean Italian cook. Joey always told her, “Nothing is better than your food!”

Robina had a presence that lit up a room and a laugh that would make it impossible not to join in on the happiness. She was never afraid to speak her mind and she made sure everyone knew that. She wasn’t afraid to be completely honest because everything she said came from the heart. No matter the time or place, she truly had no filter.

Robina always loved to have a good time with family and friends, but when she would say, “Hey hun, you mind if I go play today?” we knew that she was heading to the casino. Robina was a total master with the cards and numbers, and no one had a mind like her.

Robina was born in Jordan and moved to America in the 60’s where she started a beautiful, new life. She was raised in Chicago, where she worked in the hospitality business. From working at Mother’s on Rush Street, to being in charge of the bar at Mike Ditka’s City Lights Night Club, she was admired every single day and made an impact on everyone she met. She continued her calling through bartending and serving throughout her life and people made sure to go there solely because they knew they would see Robina.

Back in 1993, when Robina went to the Milwaukee Festa Italiana, she had no idea that she was going to meet the love of her life. As Robina and her friends were approaching the festival, they overheard Joey singing “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis and was interested to see who was singing. During the song “My Way”, Robina was dancing with Joey’s father, her soon-to-be father-in-law. As cliche as it sounds, it was love at first sight. Robina joined Joey and relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles, where they continued building their lives together. From living in Studio City to Encino, Joey and Robina had a connection that was inseparable— so much that a minute after New Years, Joey and Robina got married in Las Vegas in 1995. Their apple of their eye, Lola, was born in Woodland Hills on October 23rd, 1997. From then on out, they became the trio— and that will never change.

The bond between a mother and daughter is a special one that is beyond words, and the relationship that Robina and Lola shared was completely indescribable. Robina would always say, “Why are you so pretty?” and Lola would say, “because you are!” Lola was Robina’s everything and their connection will never be lost. She supported Lola’s education, singing, and ambitions, always being her #1 fan. With her daughter graduating in the spring and beginning graduate school in the fall, Lola carries on her mother’s strength, compassion, and love with her every day. Lola was Robina’s pride and joy and always supported her in all of her endeavors, as she still will from up above. Lola remembers Robina as not only her mom, but her best friend and role model.

Robina, Joey, and Lola have always been a family that radiates love and warmth, and this loss will not take away from their strength. As they continue to make Robina proud and find happiness in her memory, Joey and Lola will remember her saying her famous quote, when I told her “I love you”, her response was “Love you more.”