Merlyn Annette Robbins

1938 - 2022

Merlyn Annette Farnsworth Robbins peacefully passed away the morning of July 26, 2022 surrounded by her children.

Annette was born June 21, 1938 to Harlow and Merlyn Farnsworth, in Salt Lake City, UT. She was the oldest of four children. Her siblings being Willard, Harold, and Nancy. Annette grew up on West Temple with a lot of extended family living on the same street. She spent a lot of time with her grandmother, who took her under her wing while her dad was serving in the Navy and her mom worked. She felt particularly close to her grandmother and they shared a special bond.

Annette graduated from South High School in 1957.

One of Annette’s first jobs was as an elevator operator. She later had other jobs consisting of secretarial work. She was a proficient typist. She had strong fingers and could wail on the metal keys with speed and accuracy. She was also exceptionally skilled in shorthand.

Annette and Gilbert LeRoy Robbins were married November 22, 1960, then 3 years later sealed in the Salt Lake City temple on their wedding anniversary. The newly married couple lived in an apartment for many years, then in 1964 purchased their first, and only, newly constructed house on Bunker Hill Road in Holladay, Utah. Many memories were built as they raised their four children Debra, Wendy, Rebecca, and Douglas in this home.

It was tradition in the family, even generations prior, to take a summer trip to Fish Lake located in central Utah. This trip was usually followed up by another camping trip someplace different. They traveled to Red Fish Lake, Sun Valley, and Yellowstone in Idaho, Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and along the Washington and Oregon Coast, including the Red Woods in California.

Hobbies included decorating, crafting, crocheting, and bowling. For a time, she was a member of a bowling league. Annette’s favorite past times were reading, shopping, and in her later years, watching game shows and sports. She could have interesting conversations about football and basketball players and was an avid Utah Jazz fan. Through her husband’s love of tennis, she grew to really enjoy watching Wimbledon and the US Open.

Annette was a good cook and seamstress. She was known for her delicious homemade Parker House rolls and apple turnovers that she contributed to the family dinners at the family cabin. She sewed all her daughters’ dance recital costumes, Easter dresses, tiny doll clothes, and a “Cowboy and Indian” teepee for her son to name just a few.

Annette held many church callings in Primary and Relief Society presidencies. She is most remembered for her calling as the leader of the Homemaking Committee where she spent countless hours preparing for activities. She made everything fun! She even screen-printed t-shirts for the women to wear with the words, “Girl’s Night Out” on them.

Annette loved shopping! She spent a lot of time at her favorite stores, ZCMI and Macy’s. Then in her later years she discovered QVC. She was constantly teased by her family as being the QVC “queen” for her shopping habits, but they all looked forward to the unique gifts she would find.

Annette was one fashionable woman who knew how to dress. She was a classy looking lady, even up to the end of her life. Annette received a lot of attention for her looks, but it was her sweet, kind, nature which made her endearing.

She loved little kids. She was happiest when grandchildren and great grandchildren came to visit.

A very poignant attribute and defining characteristic of Annette’s life is that she was a consummate caregiver. A lot of responsibility was placed on her as a young child to watch and care for her younger siblings when her parents were working and serving the country. She stayed home and raised her children while her husband worked to provide for the family. Annette always joked about making “a lot of sack lunches!” Then as her husband suffered a debilitating illness for 18+ years she cared for him. She endured, and actually triumphed in her care for dad and the family, as she had to face many difficult challenges.

Annette was a nurturer and a gift giver. She was pure and kind… Without guile. Generous and doing for others. It was not a rare event for her to offer to pay for a stranger’s groceries or support someone who was going through financial challenges. She was a faithful and incredibly spiritual person. She led her life in tune with the spirit. She taught her children and grandchildren to be good and stay close to the Lord.

Mom was not perfect, she was human, but she was near perfect in her love for others. She had a simple life but one that focused on what matters most; loving others. One of her greatest legacies, whether she realized it or not, is that she taught us to express our love of others when we feel that love. She never let a phone call, conversation, or visit end without telling those she was with that she loved them. She was a ray of light to those who knew her and to many who never knew her at all.

We’d like to sincerely thank her wonderful neighbors and dear friends who kept a constant watch over her since Dad’s departure.