Rachel Marie Davis-Robinson

1934 - 2016

Rachel Marie Davis-Robinson

Poughkeepsie - Rachel Marie Davis-Robinson, a resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie and Hyde park for over 50 years, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at Vassar Hospital. She was 82. Born February 23, 1934 in Albany, NY, Rachel was a widow and predeceased by three husbands, David M. Robinson, a foreman for the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority, Charles Bethea, a well-known Dutchess County IRS Collections Officer, and Raphael Robinson, a talented church organist. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling and the companionship of Robert Harmon, a former Army lieutenant colonel.

Rachel was school teacher for the Poughkeepsie Central School District for 34 years, 27 of those years as an administrator, retiring in 2000. Rachel was actively involved in civic, community, and religious endeavors. A graduate of Vassar College and SUNY at New Paltz, she was a member of the Vassar Club and supported the college academically, socially, and financially. After arriving in Dutchess County in 1965, she became a member of the Hyde Park Women's Republican Club and served as President, Vice President, and Chair. She also served on the Hyde Parks School Board and was a member of the Poughkeepsie area Jaycee/Chamber, Dutchess County Youth Board, the Poughkeepsie Business and Professional Women's Club, and the League of Women Voters.

A life-long church goer, Rachel was a featured soprano in the choir at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Albany, New York. Later, she taught pre-school and was a President and a board member, as well as a parent supervisor of Saint James Teen Youth Group of St. James Episcopal Church in Hyde Park. Rachel enjoyed playing golf, tennis, gardening and playing the organ. She loved a good political debate on a local issue of community importance and in later years, was active in the Republican Party by campaigning and canvassing her neighborhood for her favorite candidates.

Rachel is survived by her son, David M. Robinson (Iris Marie) of Manassas, VA; her daughter, Charlessa Colette Thatcher (Jeffrey) of Stanfordville, NY; as well as grandchildren, Danielle Hicks (Ronald), Scott Robinson, Jasmine Thatcher, and Jaylen Thatcher; and great grandchildren, two girls, Sydney and Ryan Hicks.

A service and celebration will be offered on Friday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Church, 4526 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538.