Kathy Ann Robinson

Kathy’s hope and courage throughout her fight and journey were exactly what we knew her to be: legendary. Her faith and inspiration were contagious. She was a beacon of light for her family and friends.

An amazingly talented woman, she lived a robust and rewarding life. She was an award winning, master teacher at Tenaya Middle School and Bullard High School for nearly 40 years. She brought “magic” to education - her ability to connect with kids generated confidence in thousands of students who genuinely loved her.

Kathy began her illustrious career in 1970 at Yosemite Middle School, though her most fabulous years were spent at Tenaya as a beloved drama, speech arts and forensics guru. She followed that up with two years at her alma mater - Bullard High School (class of 1964). Upon retirement, Kathy channeled her creative energy into her company focused on landscaping and home design.

Kathy graduated from Fresno State University in 1968 and earned a lifetime secondary teaching credential in geography/history and speech communication. She was designated a mentor teacher and was honored in 2003 and 2007 as a Middle School Teacher of the Year. She received numerous honors from city and state leaders for her teaching and community service, most notably for the development of her renowned Improv Team. She was featured in numerous media outlets over the years and honored multiple times in the list of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Outside of the classroom, Kathy was a community stalwart. She volunteered and served in Junior League, LARCs, the Fresno City College Foundation, the Fresno State Bulldog Foundation, the Fresno and San Francisco chapters of H.O.W. (Helping One Woman), the Bullard football and baseball clubs, the Fig Garden Women’s Club and as a member of a local improv troupe. Kathy loved her travels to Europe, Canada, and many major U.S. cities, with San Francisco, New York, and New Orleans being her favorites.

Kathy was married (1970) to Dan Robinson for 55 years. She fiercely loved her family, children, grandchildren, friends and community. She is survived by her husband Dan, son Matt (Laurel) Robinson, daughter Brittany (Mike Whelan), and grandsons Nate and Dylan Robinson (who always pulled and tugged on her heartstrings), sister-in-law Kathy Dennen, brother-in-law Bill (Kathy) Robinson, sister Jill Greenberg and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Logan and Frieda Southfield and brother Tim Southfield.

Kathy will be laid to rest at a private family ceremony at Belmont Memorial Park. A celebration of life for Mrs. Rob will be held at Pardini’s at 11:30am on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kathy’s honor to a cancer charity that has touched your family.