PATRICIA ROBBINS "PAT" DAY

1926 - 2020

DAY, Patricia Robbins "Pat" Age 94, died peacefully on December 19th, 2020 at her North Hill home, surrounded by her family and caregivers. She was born in Oakland, CA, on September 9th, 1926. She was the daughter of Winston H. and Mary Ruth Robbins and grew up in Lafayette, Indiana; she graduated from Lafayette High School, Bradford Junior College and Indiana University, class of 1948, majoring in English Literature. She was married to Robert L. Day of Newton on March 10th,1951 in Lafayette and not long after settled in Wellesley. She was predeceased by her husband in 2005 and by her younger brother, John Robbins of New York City. She lost a younger sister named Janet, who died at six months old. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth D. Rechner and her husband Robert C. of Medfield, and three sons, Lansing E. Day of Cottonwood, AZ, Bradford W. Day of Middleboro, and Stephen M. Day of Asturias, Spain. She had eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her passion in life was her family foremost, in her abiding, loving manner--faithful in her gentle way, always there to support, inspire and encourage. She was a model of resiliency and bravery, always, and especially in her last years, enduring physical challenges, from which she never wilted. To her children, she was the rock foundation of the family. Quietly holding the ground steady for their explorations, education and growth. To her grandchildren and great-grands she was their Mimi. Warm and embracing, smiling. To her friends, long in relationship, "Old Shoe Club" with her husband Bob, she shone brightly. And so, with her new friends at the North Hill Community, where she lived for some 14 years. Second to her devotion to her family, but not far behind, was her high passion for Watercolor Painting. Having been first introduced to art appreciation at a very young age by her maternal grandmother Caroline, the good seeds sprouted. At mid-life, she was passionately drawn to watercolor and painted for more than 35 years; she took her first formal classes at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston—her first instructor being George Shedd. She traveled with her classes over the years—painting; to Italy, France, and up and down the New England coast. More recently she studied with Plymouth native Andrew Kusmin. She painted well into her final months of life. The family plans to host a memorial service in 2021, at the Wellesley Village Congregational Church. The date to be announced. To honor the life and memory of Pat, donations may be made to: Mass Audubon (massaudubon.org).

View the online memorial for Patricia Robbins "Pat" DAY