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FUNERAL HOME

Duggan's Mission Chapel

525 W Napa St

Sonoma, California

Muriel ROBBINS Obituary

ROBBINS, Muriel May 27, 1924 - July 28, 2015 Muriel Robbins, 91, a lifelong Sonoma resident passed away July 28th at the home where she was born and raised. She is survived by her three children, Pam Robbins, Jeff Robbins, and Stephanie Robbins Burlington; seven grandchildren, Rachel, Blake, and Anya Burlington, Alex and Lydia Cubbage, Holley and Stetson Robbins; and a great-grandson, Ray David. Additionally, she leaves nieces and nephews, Deborah Cohen Burns, Lauri Shainsky, Mike Shainsky, and their beloved family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, "Sam" and Helen Shainsky; a brother, Allen Shainsky; and sister, Cecelia Shainsky Cohen. Muriel served as a Sonoma Valley kindergarten teacher, as well as a high school counselor, touching the lives of many students. In May, 2015, she was inducted into the "Dragon Hall of Fame" for outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of education. She also was recognized for her community service which includes F.I.S.H., Vintage House, board of directors for the homeless shelter, La Luz Bilingual Center, founding member of Congregation Shir Shalom, Education Committee Chairperson, and hostess of interfaith meals. Music was always a part of Muriel's life from childhood to present. She played piano, organ, and flute. As an adult, she played flute, performing with the Napa Orchestra and the Live Oak Trio. In retirement, she traveled extensively throughout the world, spent hours in her cherished garden, and with her book club. She could often be found in her kitchen, reading the paper and watching birds enjoy the food she carefully selected for them. Services were held on Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Duggan's Mission Chapel and burial followed at Cypress Hill Memorial Park in Petaluma. Donations may be made in Muriel's memory to: 1) F.I.S.H. (Friends in Sonoma Helping) P.0. Box 507, Sonoma, CA 95476 2) Vintage House-The Jerry Casson Multi-Purpose Center, 264 First St. East, Sonoma, CA 95476 3) Congregation Shir Shalom 252 W. Spain St., Sonoma, CA 95476

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Published by Sonoma Index-Tribune from Jul. 31 to Aug. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Muriel ROBBINS

17 Entries

Pam Robbins

July 25, 2020

I miss your presence in our lives every day! Your kind words, you were never mean, the way you gave to others, your sense of integrity, your caring for others, the way you provided for family and community ... Rest In Peace, Mom

Georgette ("Georgie") Neale

August 31, 2015

The Celebration of Life yesterday was wonderful, Mrs. Robbins' family and friends did a terrific job putting together a warm, personal, moving, generous, and meaningful tribute to a lovely lady. Thank you for this chance to pay our respects to--and show our admiration for--Mrs. Muriel Shainsky Robbins. Class of 1942.

Sincerely, --Georgette ("Georgie") Neale
(Class of 1977)

Lorie Wicklund

August 30, 2015

When I moved to Sonoma in 1990. Muriel was a mentor to me. She got me involved in the
Vintage House and FISH projects. She knew everyone. Was a great supportor of the Opera. I'm so thankful I met Muriel she
introduced me to Sonoma. I will miss our our little chats.

Kathy McKenna Perry

August 27, 2015

Dear Robbins family
Muriel will be greatly missed. She and mother mother Barbara Maffei Thomsen went to school together from kindergarden at what is now Sonoma Community Center through High School. Whenever I saw her she always asked about my mom who passed last year. She gave me copies of many photos from their grammar school days. Wish I could be at the celebration on Sunday. She was a very special lady.

Kathy McKenna Perry
Queen Queek AZ

Benny Hardister

August 15, 2015

Stephanie, so sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope that having such a wonderful Mom for so may years will bring you some peace in her passing

Julie McClelland

August 15, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Robbins passing, but am so glad I got to visit with her at the SVHS Hall of Fame event this spring. She was my beloved kindergarten teacher, and then as a counselor at SVHS. What a jewel she was, and won't be forgotten! <3

August 13, 2015

Hello Pam, Thank you for letting us know about the Celebration of Life for your mom on August 30. I plan on being there.

(Here's to the "Class of '42" Sonoma Valley Union High School :-)

--Georgette (Georgie) Neale

August 12, 2015

I am writing this for my Aunt Myrtle Wilson Sullivan, who now lives in Laguna Hills,Ca. She was sadden to hear of Muriels passing. Our family had the
Wilson Ranch on Watmaugh Rd. I heard Muriel's name mentioned in several of our family's conversations over the years. I am sure they all had some great times back in the day. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
Sincerely,
Carol Figone (Selena's daughter)

Pam Robbins

August 6, 2015

Thank you for signing the guest book for Muriel Robbins. We will be having a Celebration of Life for her on Sunday, August 30th at 3pm at Burlingame Hall, First Congregational Church, 252 West Spain Street, Sonoma, 95476. Hope you can join us!

Maddy Leader

August 3, 2015

Muriel was and remains and inspiration to me.
I haven't not known her as long as many others, but she touched me with her spirit.

Steve Spangler

August 2, 2015

Mrs. Robbins was an integral part of the infrastructure of the school system of Sonoma. Such a classy lady and her influence sent many youngsters on their way to future greatness. What a treasure she was, and it is painful to have lost her.

August 1, 2015

A person doesn't have to be related by blood to be called family. Muriel was family. I will always remember, as a young girl, how excited my brother and I would be to know that we were going to Sonoma to visit with Muriel and the rest of the family. My memories have always been and always will be wonderful and I will hold them even closer in my heart than ever before. Muriel was one of those people for which I had an abundance of love and respect because she truly lived her life to the fullest and touched others on every step of her journey. Muriel - You will truly be missed by many but never never forgotten by any. Love you,
Lori Nankin Lott

brendan martin

August 1, 2015

my first teacher in my first year of school in 1972. in the last few years I would stop to say hello when I saw her on a walk along shainsky rd. seeing her always reminded me of kindergarten when I would read her announcements. and the field trips to stornettas dairy and vella cheese. we all loved her.

Wayne and Kathy Teague in Sonoma Plaza '62.

Wayne Teague

July 31, 2015

So sorry to hear. Her daughter, Pam, & I were classmates from Kindergarten through high school. Muriel would set up play dates so my sister, Kathy and I could go to their house to play with Pam and her brother. I have very fond memories of the Robbins family, they are all very giving and caring.

Janet Rist

July 31, 2015

OMG, she was my kindergarten teacher. I just loved her. Also she was supportive of the horses with Stephanie and myself.

July 31, 2015

Dear Mrs. Robbins! I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Muriel Shainsky Robbins, a warm and wonderful lady who touched the lives of many students in Sonoma Valley. Mrs. Robbins went to school with my father, Leon Neale, and they were part of the "Class of 1942". A great lady. We were lucky to have her in our community. She was one of the "greatest generation" of people who grew up during the Depression, were teens and young adults during WWII. These folks have a "can-do" attitude, and they are irreplaceable when they pass away. Thank you, Mrs. Robbins, for your life and service to the children/student of Sonoma Valley!

Robert Cantrell

July 31, 2015

She touched so many lives with so much love.Mrs Robbins you will be missed!!

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