Born on September 1, 1927, the third of five children, she grew up at Brushwood Farm, a dairy farm in North Stamford, Connecticut. She attended Willard School (now the Stamford Historical Center) and graduated from Stamford High School. In her teens, Eunice took up photography; many of her photos of farm and home life appeared in the pages of The Stamford Advocate. She loved horseback riding and was also active in several sports, most notably softball and baseball, where she excelled at playing shortstop and second base. After graduation, she was invited to try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League but chose instead to attend Syracuse University where she graduated with degrees in English and journalism. On the tennis courts at Syracuse, she met Walter S. Robinson, an engineering student who nicknamed her “Doc” in playful reference to the legendary (but unrelated) West Point football player Felix “Doc” Blanchard.
In 1954, Eunice and Walt married and lived for several years in Minneapolis, where he worked for Honeywell, before moving to Covina, California, in 1970. Eunice spent many years there as a homemaker, raising their two sons but also continuing her love of photography and horseback riding. She became active in Toughlove and worked as the group’s west coast coordinator for several years. She also played golf and tennis, and was active in the Methodist Church of Covina.
After Walt’s death in 1989, Eunice moved to San Diego. In 1994, she married businessman Lyle Pedersen. After Lyle’s death in 2004, she kept busy with family and church activities in the Methodist and Lutheran churches. In 2010, she moved east to be near her younger sister in Raleigh, North Carolina; and in 2020, she relocated to Edina, Minnesota, to live near her son, James C. Robinson.
She is survived by her son James and his wife Paula Robinson; Eunice’s sister Sarah P. Blanchard; and several nieces and nephews. Her sister Helen Blanchard Weeks and two brothers, Alfred E. Blanchard and Chester B. Blanchard, predeceased her.
Eunice lived a long, full life on her own terms. She is remembered for supporting her family, church and community; for her love of animals, especially horses and dogs; and for her delight whenever a favored sports team won. Her son Jim announced her passing by saying, “For the 4,372nd pick in the 2024 Heavenly Draft, God selects Eunice Pedersen from Syracuse University to play second base.” She is still fielding everything that comes her way.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
A private interment will be held at Springfield Cemetery in Springfield, MA.
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