Robin Dolin

Robin Dolin, 73, of Pataskala, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in her home. She was born on July 8, 1951 in Long Branch, New Jersey, to the late Paul and Ruth (Chamberlain) McEldowney. Robin is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, James Dolin; daughter Selena (William) Heyer; grandchildren Jane, Eva, Ambrose, Eleanor, Philip, and Chloe Heyer; siblings Roger (Areloa) McEldowney and Alfreda Hoch, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Robert McEldowney. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025 at KAUBER-FRALEY FUNERAL HOME, 289 S. Main St., Pataskala, OH 43062. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11th, at St. Edward the Confessor, 785 Newark Granville Rd., Granville OH 43023 with Father Jan Sullivan officiating. Honoring Robin’s wishes, cremation will take place following services. Graveside service will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 11539 National Rd. SW, Pataskala, OH 43062.

Robin grew up in Columbus. Her parents, Ruth Eleanor McEldowney, (b. Marysville March 1915), and Paul S. McEldowney married on December 2, 1939. Robin lived in several neighborhoods growing up, including Marble Cliff, Marion Village, and the neighborhood around Holy Rosary Church. Robin graduated from South High School in 1970. She met Jim (Big Red) Dolin at their mutual friend Don Likens’ house. Big Red took Robin on a motorcycle ride, and the rest was history. They married two months later, on December 14, 1971. Jim would remain her caring, adventurous, and loving friend, and a faithful and devoted husband for 53 years.

After a brief term working for Federated Glass, Robin worked at J.C. Penney Catalog Distribution Center on Scarborough Blvd. from 1974-2012. She attended St. Pius X Church in Reynoldsburg with dear friends for many years. She was a member of Licking County Fire Auxiliary, Reynoldsburg Senior Center, and the Pink Ribbon Girls. She was a Girl Scout Leader and a devoted dance mom.

Jim and Selena recall her tireless devotion to family life. There isn't enough room to tell it all. They loved picnics with dear friends at Old Man’s Cave, with homemade fried chicken packed in the picnic hamper, and the camping trips where Robin thought of everything to make the best Coleman stove meals and Jim played his guitar fireside. Robin lent an enthusiasm to hosting parties and events of any kind (and as a grandmother, she graciously accepted “orders” to help host Selena’s family parties too).

Friends Sue and Don Likens recall her sense of adventure. Don remembers her “body surfing,” climbing a large historic oak tree in South Carolina, camping at Blue Rock, ice skating, and, of course, boating at Buckeye Lake. Her love for and dedication to her family was always evident to them, as well as her faith in God. Her friend Brenda Fannin recalls her smart responses and sayings: (“Well…” “That’s a deep subject!”), (“How do you feel?” “With my hands.”). Brenda has fond memories of visiting her sister in Key West with Robin, and she and Dee Gaiteri also remember their Girlfriend Trips. On their first trip to visit Selena & family in South Bend, Indiana, they got lost and laughed about it. Dee remembers trips to New York to visit her family, a trip to Frankenmouth, MI, and having Thanksgiving together with Robin and her family at Ross' club. Robin loved Christmas shopping to buy matching presents for Jen and Selena, birthday brunches with her girlfriends, Sundays at Panera, and singing “Happy Trails to You” at the top of their lungs. She was Dee's cherished friend for 45 years.

When Selena married Bill Heyer, Robin took a new job: Best Mother-In-law and Grandma Ever. She was present for every birthday, 4th of July, Easter, Valentine’s day, trick or treat, and autumn apple picking trip. Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she filled it with love each year. Robin’s friends and family always looked forward to sharing the delicious treats she loved to make: punkin’ pies, casseroles, cakes, bars, deviled eggs, and more. She loved visiting her grandchildren in Bexley and walking to get ice cream, chocolates, and pizza. Robin’s house was the spot for birthday celebrations, sleepovers, and family cookouts. Her competitive streak showed best when playing Bingo, Trash, Farkle, puzzles, and Euchre.

Her grandchildren remember many, many happy times with her. Ambrose recalls sitting with her at the Bexley 4th of July parade, going to the pool, and movies and sleepovers. He said, “I remember playing soccer with her in the front yard and she would hold me back so that I couldn’t score. I would call her a cheater, and she would call me a cheater back, and then we would laugh.” Eleanor remembers visiting Robin's friend Wilma’s house to make crafts, knit, and sew together, and always picking up a bag of bagels on the way, completing crossword puzzles and coloring books together, going to the pool in the summer with lots of snacks packed, having brunch with all of her church ladies, and “shopping” for school supplies in the basement.

Chloe was grandma’s youngest and curliest-haired grandbaby. She was toddling during a trip to West Virginia in 2014, one of Robin’s fondest family adventures.

Philip remembers how grandma took him to his first Chipotle, and how often they visited Panera together, where Robin informed him that the store's logo was "a lady holding a loaf of bread rather than the face of a hairy pig."

Jane recalls how Robin would come to every childhood piano recital, and watch the ones that were live streamed when Jane was in college. She didn't care if the music was virtuosic or just a pop song- she tried to applaud every little tune, even when she could no longer clap very well.

Eva’s first memories are from living with Grandma in 2002, waking up every morning to Grandma and Poppa cooking breakfast together. She recalls sleepovers at Grandma’s, and watching Jeopardy, cartoons, and animal rescue shows. Eva loved summer barbecues, Christmas crafts in the basement, Grandma’s driving lessons, bocce ball, fireworks, “Grandma dates,” singing songs together (Robin in the Rain, You Are my Sunshine, Boom Boom Ain’t it Great to be Crazy, Knapsack Song, I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, and many other tunes), cuddles, and BIG hugs.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Edward The Confessor Parish Endowment Fund or Support PRG's Mission - Pink Ribbon Good in Robin's memory.