Carey Jean (Adams) Robertson

Carey is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, James Henry Robertson, Jr., sons Lance and Chad, their wives Beth and Teri, and grandchildren Henry, Emily, Sarah and Emma.

Carey graduated from Matthew Whaley High School in Williamsburg and The College of William and Mary, where she earned a degree in elementary education. While attending college, she starred on the field hockey team. She was also a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Following graduation, she taught fourth grade classes at Theodore Ficklin school in Alexandria, Va.

She married James in 1962 in Williamsburg. Their early married years included adventures living in Maryland, Washington State, and California. They eventually settled in Annandale to raise their sons. When Lance and Chad were thoroughly established in school, Carey returned to work, and helped establish the students' Career Center at Annandale High School. After twelve years of service, she retired in 1987. Carey also volunteered for fifteen years with Meals-on-Wheels.

Throughout her retirement, Carey stayed active. With James at her side, trips driving across the country to visit her grandchildren, or to tour National Parks, lighthouses, and historic mills were common. She was also a regular at local swimming, aerobics, and tennis activities.

Carey was a member of the Green Thumb Garden Club, her love for gardening continued to blossom throughout her retirement. She was also part of the Red Hat social club, where she made friends throughout Northern Virginia and was a regular at their luncheon gatherings. Carey considered herself blessed by her many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers the family would request donations in Carey's name to the Alzheimer's Association.

Carey Jean Adams Robertson wrote these words in 2010:

Following graduation from William and Mary in 1959, I taught elementary school in Alexandria, Va. I stayed in Alexandria for three years.

In 1962 I married James Robertson and we lived in Baltimore for seven years while James worked for The Martin Company. As gypsies for Martin we lived in St. Louis, Seattle and Long Beach, Ca. Our first son was born in Baltimore in 1966 and our second son arrived while we were on travel in Long Beach in 1969. I was a full-time mom.

In 1969 James accepted a position with The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Silver Spring, MD and we moved to Annandale, Va. (go figure).

As the children started to school, I became a volunteer in the Fairfax County school system and continued for twelve years. A friend and I established the first Career Center in Annandale High School. We decided it was time to be paid, so we petitioned the school board and they finally allotted one paid position that the two of us shared for several years until I retired in 1987.

James and I have been blessed with two wonderful daughter-in-laws and four delightful, smart, and beautiful/handsome grandchildren. There are three girls and a boy ages 3 to 7.

I enjoyed gardening, reading, walking, Red Hat Society, Garden Club, and Circle. I am blessed with many friends who enjoy similar activities. I have been a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer for fifteen years.

Between James and myself, it seems that we collect almost anything and as a result we are members of a number of societies-USLHS (lighthouses), SPOOM (old grist mills), NIA (insulators), MSNA (coins), and EAPGS (early American pattern glass). This spring we will begin our second year monitoring a bluebird trail at Gunston Hall (George Mason's home). We are hoping to help the bluebirds reestablish themselves there.

Now that James has retired, we stay busy all the time. We travel when we like. Try to keep up with the family and baby-sit when called upon (which is often). James likes to follow the Orioles and UVA sports and I join in when it appears interesting.