Mary Elizabeth Robison

Mary was born on January 4, 1923 in Union County, South Dakota to Fred and Hazel Manning. She was baptized twice, once after birth when she was near death, and later when she was older. Could this double baptism have been what led her to be so dedicated to all things involved with the Catholic Church? Probably the greatest honor she received as a church leader was to be named Catholic Daughter of the Year at the state convention in 2007.

She attended elementary school in Union County before moving to Avoca, Iowa where she graduated in 1941. She enjoyed playing softball and roller skating. She earned a scholarship to Duchene Catholic Girls’ College (now known as Creighton University) but was unable to attend due to financial reasons. She then attended National Business Training College in Sioux City, Iowa graduating in 1942.

Being the oldest daughter in the family, she felt a calling to serve her country after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She enlisted as a United States Navy Wave and was stationed in Norfolk, VA working in the Provost Office as a Yeoman 1st Class. She met her future husband, Ray C. Robison, while serving as a Navy Wave. Mary and Ray were married on July 14, 1945, and she continued working in the Navy until she became pregnant with their first child.

Mary and Ray had four daughters: Jeanne, Janet, JoAn and Julie. (aka The 4 J’s.) They lived in Iowa and Indiana where Mary worked as a secretary while Ray finished his college degree and taught school. They moved to Arizona in 1964 when her husband became the Head Athletic Trainer at Arizona State University in a small town called, Tempe.

After the children were enrolled in school, Mary went to work in 1967 as the secretary to the Chairman of Secondary Education at Arizona State University. In 1979 she became the secretary at Kyrene del Norte Elementary School in Tempe until she retired in 1985.

Mary was very active in many organizations and clubs. She was often an officer and leader of the group to which she belonged and received many accolades. A few of the groups that she belonged to in Arizona were Catholic Daughters of America, The Phoenix Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, Tempe Woman’s Club, Saguaro Garden Club, WAVES National Organization, A.S.U. Faculty Wives, American Legion as well as many more.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Hazel; her sister, Kathleen Pope; her husband Ray Robison and her daughter Jeanne K. Robison. She is survived by her daughters; Janet Dixon (Stuart – deceased) , JoAn Tonniges (David); Julie Holt (Michael) and seven grandchildren: Kristi Dixon McConkey (Justin), McKenna Dixon, Shawn Tonniges, Scott Tonniges, Pamela Holt Pelletier (Jon), Sarah Holt Fredrick (Josh) and James Holt and five great-grand children: Lyla Tonniges, Sedona Fredrick; Sophia and Gabriel Pelletier and Violet McConkey.

The family wishes to thank, Cousin Billy Guy Robison, from Indian, for calling our mother every Sunday since our father passed away 20 years ago.

Mary will be missed by those who knew and loved her. As Mary stated, “Make it a happy day, as every day was a special day for me and I tried to enjoy it to the fullest.” May you remember her in your prayers