Robin Lisa Cox

April 3, 1959 - July 25, 2024

Robin was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Richard and Margaret Straub. Growing up there for a short period, she attended Sandy Hook Elementary until the family moved to Salem, Oregon where she attended Morningside Elementary, Judson Junior High and finally Sprague High School graduating in 1977. Later in 1992, she was encouraged to attend dental school at Chemeketa Community College. She graduated with honors (4.0 GPA) and started her career as dental assistant. She was so good in absorbing and retaining the instruction, she took the time to tutor several classmates to assist them to graduation. Helping people was her middle name. Robin changed course in her working life and worked for a period with the Glass Barn. She loved plant care and it has shown from ALL the plants in our home. She always said, “Where there are plants, there’s oxygen”! Next, she tried the restaurant business as a waitress at Rudy’s on the golf course. She did fine opening the cafe before tee-times and really loved that job. Next she ventured to Annette’s in West Salem again as a waitress. That didn’t last long though. Robin stood outside the building to get the perspective of a customer and she didn’t like what she saw. Skimpy plants here and there and most dying. She explained, “If you take care of the outside, you show you take care inside.” In a couple months, she transformed a dead space into a living jungle of beautiful flowers and other plants. Yes, the customer base increased by what she had done. Ray was very proud of her and her of herself of this accomplishment. Robin was a superb artist. She produced several magnificent pen-ink drawings, and several paintings that adorn our house. Her specialty were birds, particularly Birds of Prey. Eagles and hawks were her favorite topic. A large part of her artistic inspiration came from the outdoors. Camping at Lost Lake where the birds of prey were abundant was one of her favorite spots. Eagles attempting to harass Ospreys out of a fresh catch or Hawks harassing both of them. In fact Robin loved camping so much, she told Ray not to unload the pickup until she was ready to stay home for a while. One of her favorite meals Ray cooked for her was BBQ beef ribs over the fire and loaded with sauce. Ray noted, some the sauce went into her mouth, the rest laid wasted on her face from ear to ear. The outdoors and this union was made for the each other. Robin was a great mother for her children. She instilled self-worth, integrity, and respect in them if they listened. And it’s evident today that they learned those traits from her as they indeed, express and display them in their everyday living and treatment of their children and of others. Sadly, Robin passed peacefully at home with Ray and Jenifer by her side on July 25th at 9:30AM from a rare cancer identified as, Singular Fibrous Tumor. She will be missed by all who loved and cherished her and most likely by those whom she adorned them with her smile. Robin is survived by her Husband Raymond, his son Brandon (Grace), two grandsons Stellan and Orin, daughter Jenifer (Liam), a granddaughter Adelyn, grandson Alex, son Josh ( Julia), Grandsons Julian and Jackson, and her brother Jeff Straub (Rebecca). A husband and family blessed to be part of her life. Robin was laid to rest at a place of honor, the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. We intend to display as much of her art at her celebration of life on September 14, 2024 at the 50+ Center, 2615 Portland Road NE Salem, Oregon. The celebration honoring her will begin at 11:00AM. Rather than flowers, contributions may be given to Willamette Vital Health in Salem, Oregon.