Irene "Stevie" Kydon Robberson

Irene Kydon “Stevie” Robberson, age 87, passed into her next grand adventure on August 10, 2013 in Grand Rapids, MI. In addition to being a loving, hilarious and enthusiastic wife and mother like-no-other, Stevie was an award-winning teacher/administrator, a talented athlete, and an outspoken advocate for women and those with less opportunity.

Born in Toronto, Canada to a Greek father and Scottish mother, she was always both a student and a teacher and she pursued her dreams of higher education by earning a Master’s degree in Education while raising four kids and working full and part-time. Raised in Detroit (a lifelong Tigers fan) and a Grand Rapids resident since 1962, she and her husband of almost sixty years, Tom Robberson, who died in 2007, showed their four kids how to truly embrace life with an open mind, a warm heart, and a spirit of adventure.

As an East Grand Rapids High School English, Government and History Teacher in the 60’s and 70’s she inspired hundreds of lives, and before becoming Supervisor of the Kent County Adult Education Program she was awarded State of Michigan “Teacher of the Year” for her contributions and commitment as a teacher in that Program. Stevie also volunteered for the Kent County Literacy Council, Meals on Wheels, Planned Parenthood, Fountain Street Church and other worthy causes. She was also an avid and dedicated reader, writer, cyclist and skier; with family and friends she rode her bicycle throughout the world.

Stevie is survived by daughter Kay of Yarmouth Port, MA; son Bill (Kathrin Moore) of San Francisco, CA; daughter Jan (Johnny Miller) of Telluride, CO; and daughter Nancy (Jami Kimmell) of Maui, HI; her sister-in-law, Shirley Liddicoat of Grand Rapids, MI; and her wonderful Fountain Street Church and Book Club friends. A Memorial Service for Stevie is being planned for late September or early October. Please go to “Irene Stevie Robberson” at Facebook for an online memorial, a celebration of her long and adventurous life.