Mary Katherine Robinson

Mary Katherine Robinson joined her son James Joseph and her husband Walter Waddell in heaven on October 1, 2014. Mary was one of God’s special messengers, touching everyone she met with her belief in generosity, kindness, unconditional love and the importance of family and friends. Mary was born July 14, 1929, in Plattsburgh, NY to Army Master Sergeant Louis Aubrey Smith and Gertrude Blanche Miller. She developed her ability to capture hearts at age 5 as “Plattsburgh’s own little Shirley Temple,” singing every Saturday morning on the local radio station. At 17, Mary heard God’s call and became a noviate for three years in the Order of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Cincinnati, OH. Mary left before her final vows due to health reasons, and soon met the love of her life. Mary and Walter were married in 1953 and had 7 children, settling down in Mason, MI. Mary was a spirited Irish lass with the twinkle of the leprechaun in her eye who possessed the voice of an angel. She taught her children to love music, God, and a practical joke. She was a talented seamstress, crocheter, and baker whose rugalach’s & desserts were in demand for every holiday get-together. Mary was one of the original Michigan Bell Telephone operators and later for Jacobson’s Department Store. She sang at many weddings and funerals for St. James Catholic Church, in addition to her duties as president/member of the Lady’s Altar Society. She studied opera with Dr. David F. Machtel Sr., and was a member of the Lansymphonic Choral Society. Mary acted in several Lansing Civic Players productions including “Music Man,” “Sound of Music,” and more. Her superb soprano and heartfelt rendition of her favorite song, Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” invoked tears every time she sang it during her 60plus years of performing. In the mid-80s, Mary & her youngest son joined her daughters in Arizona. She worked as a telephone operator for Desert Samaritan Hospital, Road Machinery, and in customer service for Sears. She sang/performed for almost 20 years in Mesa Senior Center’s Prime Time Players. At 73, when Mary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she met her chihuahua Rocky who helped her through many challenges in the years ahead. Mary always said the best thing about getting PD was joining the Tremble Clefs choir. Mary also enjoyed taking Rocky every summer to her daughter’s cottage on the Oregon coast that she called her “paradise on earth.” Parkinson’s may have robbed Mary of her independence, but with the help of her family and friends, she was unstoppable. Mary forever walked in sunshine, lighting the way for those who needed comfort, lightening the burden of heavy hearts, and illuminating the path for many of life’s weary travelers. Mary is survived by her children Michele (David), Patricia (James), Therese, Christopher (Tina), Karen, Joseph (Felicia); grandchildren Kristyna (Brian), Brooks, Christopher Jr., Mason, Zackary, Carter; great grandchildren Annabelle, Braelynn, Nicholas; sister Mary Elizabeth; niece Joy. Services will be 11 a.m., Sat., Oct. 11, A.L. Moore Grimshaw Bethany Chapel, 710 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Tremble Clefs, c/o 1206 E. Harbor View Dr., Tempe, 85283. Her family would like to thank her music director Sun Joo Lee, who encouraged her to keep on singing; her caregiver Lenka Valenzuela; & the Hospice of the Valley staff at Ryan House. Please sign online guestbooks at www.almoore-grimshaw.com or www.obits.azcentral.com “May the Roads Rise With You and Be Forever at Your Back.”