Robin Stillings Raiford

Robin Stillings Raiford, 62, died unexpectedly on June 26, 2014 in Falls Church, Virginia of a potential heart attack. She was born on February 4, 1952 in San Diego, California and her parents were George and Roverta Jean Stillings. She was born when her dad was manager of the El Cortez in downtown San Diego and they lived in that hotel. Later they moved to Apple Valley for a few years, and then to Las Vegas, Nevada where she graduated from Clark High School. She grew up around the hotel business, and considered Las Vegas her home town, and that inspired her love of all of the lights and shows throughout her life and went back many times to visit.

She went to college at Texas Women’s University (TWU) and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She was a nurse in various hospitals in her early career, and then saw she could have a bigger impact on overall patient care and transitioned into nursing information systems. Robin was passionate about healthcare, and this continued throughout her life as an active member of the Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and various other organizations. She spoke at numerous engagements and received many awards, all for her energetic approach, tireless commitment, and unwavering passion for patient safety and quality. Her motto was all about having “Knowledge at the Speed of Right” in healthcare delivery and was a committed champion throughout. She was highly respected and regarded, and has very big shoes to fill in her plight to improve healthcare across the country.

Robin was a very good student while attending Texas Woman's University as an undergraduate. Robin loved traditions! She loved the long standing tradition between Texas A&M and TWU, that the guys from TAMU would go from College Station to Denton, TX to date the girls of TWU. With this long standing tradition, Robin fell in love with a handsome Texas Aggie cadet named Robert "Bob" Raiford. They were married in 1975. Bob was a commissioned Army officer, whose assignments allowed them to live in Germany as well as many other places in the United States. They had two children prior to their divorce, but remained lifelong friends.

She was so proud of her children, and enjoyed cheering on the Texas A&M Aggies and Penn State Nittany Lions where they graduated from college (she was also compete with school spirited wardrobe, accessories, license plates on her cars, flags, etc. – she went all out). She was so happy when both her children married the loves of their lives, and then later blessed her with a total of seven grandchildren. She loved having “Camp Grandma” with over-the-top fun things to do, complete with giant bounce houses for all of them (and hundreds of balls to put inside for a “ball pit” if they needed even more variety) and Legos and toys galore. Her grandchildren all had fun, and of course looked cute too, as she had a knack for finding coordinated outfits for all no matter what the occasion or photo opportunity.

While her passing was sudden, we are so very thankful for the wonderful trip she was able to make to Texas to visit her daughter and grandchildren just a couple of days before. They had such a fun weekend swimming, having popcorn and movie nights, building tents and forts out of blankets, and playing with her various i-gadgets as she was one tech-savvy Grandma. They were able to take some precious pictures that will be cherished always. That time is an amazing gift from God!

Robin is one very special person who has touched the lives of many all of her life. She will be in our hearts always - our beloved Mom, Grandma, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Friend, and Colleague. She is survived by:

DAUGHTER Mrs. Erica Robertson and her husband David

Grandchildren

Grace Katelynn Robertson

Luke David Robertson

Dean Eric Robertson

Jack Derick Robertson

Grant David Robertson

SON Robert Charles Raiford, Jr. and his wife Colleen

Grandchildren

Maxwell Robert Raiford

Simon David Raiford

SISTER Nancy Stillings

Nieces

Christy Lasich, MD

Laurel Harkness

BROTHER George L. Stillings, Jr. and his wife Cinda

Nephew and Niece

Lance Stillings

Jaclyn Sherman

In loving memory of those that have passed before her:

Parents George and Roverta Jean Stillings

Grandparents Chester and Eunice Pierce

Nephew George L. Stillings, III

And many aunts, uncles, and cousins