Joyce Robsham

Joyce (Loring) Robsham of Wayland and North Palm Beach, Florida, a philanthropist and respected horse breeder whose line of thoroughbreds were among the most-sought after in the industry, died on October 20 after a long illness. She was 89. The daughter of Arthur and Muriel Loring, and a graduate of Simmons College, Mrs. Robsham was married for 54 years to the late Einar Paul Robsham, the former president and chairman of the board of Robsham Industries, Inc., a prominent real estate development firm based in Framingham that developed and built extensive residential and commercial properties throughout eastern Massachusetts. Noted philanthropists, the couple were the benefactors of Boston College & Robsham Theater Arts Center, the Universitys venue for theatrical and special events and the home to BCs Theatre Department, and the Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble. Constructed in 1981, the building was dedicated in 1985 in honor of their only son, E. Paul Robsham, Jr., a member of the BC class of 1986 who died in an automobile acci- dent in the summer of 1983 following his freshman year. In addition, they funded a professorship in theater arts at Boston College that brings nationally recognized professional theater artists to work with and teach BC undergraduates. Joyce was a kind, caring person who took quiet joy in giving to others, especially to family and friends, said Boston College President William P. Leahy, S.J. She and her husband Paul were generous benefactors of Boston College and true philanthropists. Active in educational affairs, the Robshams also donated the Visitors Center at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the Arts Center at Belmont Hill School, and the Scout Reservation at Camp Reso- lute. In 1983, following the death of their son, the couple bec- ame involved in the thoroughbred horse industry, breeding Pretty Discreet, which became a foundation for the Robs- hams & homebred operation, Robsham Stables. Through- out the years, their horses enjoyed considerable success, as their maroon and gold colorsin honor of the Boston College Eagleswere carried to victory at racetracks na- tionwide, including the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders Cup. "Mrs. Robsham was such a lovely, pleasant, and classy woman, said trainer Todd Pletcher. She absolutely adored her horses and developed some of the best families of runners in the U.S." Mrs. Robsham's love and concern for her horses insp- ired Paul to seek good homes for each of them once they were no longer competitive at the track. This search started their relationship with New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in 1994. Their generosity aided New Vocations and; growth into the largest, most successful racehorse adoption program in the nation, placing more than 6,000 retired racehorses into adoptive homes, according to the program executive director Dot Morgan. A private burial was held in late October.