ROBIN GAYLE SWAIN

September 19, 1951 - June 5, 2016

A Celebration of Life will be held for Robin at the Anacortes Yacht Club, Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 4:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon - All persons wishing to join in remembering Robin's love, caring, and many contributions to the community are welcome to attend

After a long fight with cancer, Robin Gayle Swain, loving wife of William A. (Bill) Swain, and a well known Anacortes resident, caregiver, and volunteer, passed from this world peacefully and was lifted into Heaven by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, early Sunday morning, June 5, 2016. She was "safe, sound, warm, and dry", at home, in the arms of her loving husband Bill, and with her two feline "kids" Daphne and Zach beside her. True to her spirit of determination, Robin's Spirit never waned, she never gave up... The simple word "Brave" does not do justice to her efforts to continue life with us.

Known throughout the Anacortes area for her volunteerism if there was a cause that needed support, or a person or group that needed assistance, she would always be there helping in any way she could. She was passionate about her support of the American Cancer Society, the Anacortes Soroptimist Club, and her "favorite balls of fur" at "The Cat's Meow" Shelter in Anacortes.

Robin was twice nominated for the SWAN 'Woman of the Year' award, a recipient of the United Way Volunteer of the Year Award, received the American Red Cross Community Organization Award, was a Past President of Soroptimist International of Anacortes and was a Member of the Soroptimist Laurel Society. She was asked by the American Cancer Society to be the Chairperson the first Anacortes Relay For Life . . . and was recognized for her continuing support to the Relay For Life by receiving entry into the Anacortes Relay For Life Hall of Fame in 2012.

Born Robin Gayle Eichorn in Rockville Centre, New York on September 19, 1951, Robin grew up in Smithtown, N.Y., entered the University of Virginia in 1969, later lived and worked in Washington D.C. She was hired by Northwest Airlines as a Transportation agent in the late 70's, was based in Los Angeles as an Agent/Air Cargo Specialist, then returned to Washington D.C. as a Flight Planning/Operations Specialist. In very early 1987 Robin radioed an inbound 757 and asked the Captain to come into Flight Planning when he got to the gate to discuss an aircraft maintenance issue . . . Bill did . . . their eyes met . . . somehow they knew immediately that each had met the "love of their life". Robin and Bill were married on December 31, 1987, and first lived in Monroe, WA.

Robin was always up for a challenge and new experiences. She loved the waters of Puget Sound and Bill's stories of his previous cruising experiences awakened her desire to "explore". They moved to Anacortes in 1990. Robin immediately fell in love with Anacortes, its history, and its residents.

"Ahab" and "Fliss" spend many years cruising the waters of the entire Pacific Northwest on "High Flight". Robin never ceased to be in awe of the beauty and grandeur of the waters. Her very favorite thing to do with Bill each evening was to sit together and watch the reflection of the setting sun on the wind roughened water... Her "Diamonds on the Water" gave her a great deal of inner peace and contentment. Bill spoke of those memories throughout Robins final hours when she was able only to listen to his words.

Robin is survived by her loving Husband, William (Bill) Swain. Her Step-Daughter Nicole Swain-Jenkins . . . her beloved Sisters, Donna Vellon-Mendes, of Charlestown, South Carolina and Laurel Varnerin, of Duluth, Georgia.
Robin was preceded in passing, in 2008, by her beloved sister, and lifelong partner in adventure and travel, Virginia (Gini) Schou, a Surgical Nurse at Island Hospital.

If you wish to honor Robin's service to the community, any donation to the American Cancer Society or Soroptimist International of Anacortes Scholarship Fund or The Anacortes "Cat's Meow" in her name would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Chapel & Crematory Inc., of Anacortes, WA & the San Juan Islands.

To share your memories of Robin please visit www.evanschapel.com and sign the online register.