Robin Lee Rowland

Robin was born on September 6, 1950, in Portland, Oregon, to Audrey Pauline Rezin and Leroy Frank Rezin. She is survived by her siblings, Terry Rezin and Jim Balke; her children, Chris Taylor and Meegan Taylor Lawrence; and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with one more great-grandchild on the way.

Robin spent much of her working life caring for others. She worked as a CNA caring for the elderly and later at a pediatric clinic until her retirement. Caring for people wasn't simply what Robin did for work, it was part of who she was. She had an incredibly generous heart and was always willing to help someone in need, especially the homeless and those who might otherwise be overlooked.

She loved her church, her beloved dog Misty, and the beach. Before Parkinson's made it difficult for her to go, the beach was one of her favorite places, and she went whenever she could.

One of Robin's greatest passions was woodworking. She was incredibly talented and created beautiful pieces with her own hands. It brought her great pride and happiness until Parkinson's eventually took away her ability to continue doing the work she loved. She also had a deep appreciation for Native American art and spent many years collecting and proudly displaying a beautiful collection of Native American pieces.

Robin could be somewhat reserved and fiercely independent. She was generous, selfless, loving, and stubborn as heck. Those fortunate enough to make it into her smaller circle knew that once Robin loved you, she loved you deeply. There were very few limits to what she would do for someone she cared about.

Being a mother was an important part of Robin's life, and the relationships she shared with Chris and Meegan were each special in their own way. Like all families, those relationships grew and changed through the different seasons of life, but one thing that never changed was the unconditional love she had for her children.

Chris held a very special place in his mom's heart. From the time he was young, he was truly the apple of her eye, and the two shared an especially close bond throughout his childhood and younger years. As the years passed, life changed in many ways, but it could never erase the love and memories they shared or the bond between a mother and her son. Chris was an important part of Robin's life and always a part of her heart.

The final chapter between Robin and her daughter Meegan became one of the greatest gifts of both of their lives.

After Robin's husband, Larry Rowland, passed away, she eventually came to live with Meegan in Snohomish, Washington. During those last 18 months together, a bond that had been missing for many years found its way home.

They didn't need long conversations about the past or apologies for things that could no longer be changed. Somehow, through caring for one another, through looks, quiet moments, laughter, difficult days, and simply being together, everything that needed healing was healed.

Meegan was given the honor of caring for her mom when Robin needed her most, only to discover along the way that she needed her mom just as much. That time together became one of Robin's greatest final gifts—a chance for a mother and daughter to truly find one another again.

Robin also shared a special and lasting bond with the father of her children. Although their lives had taken them in different directions many years before, they remained great friends and continued to care deeply for one another. When he became ill, Robin was there beside Meegan and Chris through his final days and his passing. There was something unmistakable in the way Robin still cared for him—a reminder that some part of a first love can remain, even after life has taken two people down different paths.

Robin's final years were not easy. Parkinson's slowly took away many of the things that once gave her independence—the woodworking she loved, trips to the beach, and eventually many of the everyday things most of us take for granted. But it never took away the love she had for her family or the love they had for her.

Her life cannot be measured by the disease that ended it.

It is measured by the people she cared for, the beautiful things she created with her hands, the people she helped when no one was watching, the family she loved, and the relationships and memories that made her who she was.

Robin was loved. She was cared for. She was stubborn, independent, generous, complicated, funny in her own way, and incredibly kindhearted. She was Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, sister, friend, and so much more.

And when she left this world, she left behind people who will carry pieces of her with them forever.

A Celebration of Life for Robin will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Snohomish Senior Center. 506 4th Street, Snohomish, WA 98290

Family and friends are invited to join us not only to mourn her passing, but to celebrate Robin—to share stories, memories, laughter, and love as we remember a woman who spent so much of her life caring for others.

In honor of Robin, perhaps the best thing any of us can do is something she did throughout her life:

Help someone who needs it. Love your people fiercely. And never pass up a chance to go to the beach.