Elma Bewkes “Dolly” Robinson, 91, of Ithaca, N.Y., and Vero Beach, died Tuesday Oct. 18, 2011.
Robinson was born on March 14, 1920, in Paterson, N.J., to Lambert C. Bewkes and Alice Tompkins Bewkes.
She attended Katherine Gibbs School in New York City and graduated with a B.A. in education from Montclair State Teachers College, Montclair, N.J.
She taught English and history at Bogota High School, Bogota, N.J.
On Oct. 12, 1942, Robinson married Elmer Dempsey “Rob” Robinson in Paterson, N.J.
In 1956 they moved to Ithaca, N.Y., and subsequently resided in Greenville, Miss., Chicago, Ill., and Vero Beach.
In addition to being a dedicated teacher, wife and mother, Robinson was an active volunteer for many years serving her churches, the Red Cross, the Reconstuction Home and the Girl Scouts, among other organizations.
Along with Clara Lewis, she started the Candy Stripe volunteer program at Tompkins County Hospital.
Survivors include her daughter Marcia Robinson Richards, and her husband, Thomas J. Richards, of Vero Beach and Siasconset, Mass.; her son, Todd A. Robinson, and his wife Eloise C. Robinson, of Raleigh, N.C.; four grandchildren, Kelsey Richards Doherty, of Darien, Conn., Mathew T. Richards, of Sudbury, Mass., Whitney Robinson Rowe, of Raleigh, N.C., and Austin C. Robinson of Charlotte, N.C.; five great grandchildren, Morgan Doherty, Grant Doherty, Caroline Richards, William Rowe and Meaghan Richards; her brother Donald A. Bewkes and his wife June T. Bewkes, and sister-in-law Joan Robinson MacGilvray, as well as nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Kendal of Ithaca, 2230 North Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
There will be a private interment service at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, prior to the memorial service.
The Robinson family is deeply grateful for the love and the care from her caregivers and friends at Kendal, and Hospicare of Tompkins County.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kendal at Ithaca Garden Fund (Attn: Ann E. Hall), 2230 Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or to Hospicare of Tompkins County, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
Arrangements by Bangs Funeral Home, Inc., 209 West Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850.
