Robin S. Andersson's Obituary
The Legacy of Robin Andersson as told by her biggest admirer, Tom Andersson:
Robin and I met in December of 1979, when in the 8th grade. From the first awkward phone call (as she was from Fairview and I was from Bay Village) to first date to high school break up to college reuniting, then right after college living together in Wisconsin to marriage and the birth of Kyle and April, we enjoyed a 36 year relationship of love. Robin offered me the chance and challenge to live with a person of unquestioning love, formidable energy of good for all around her, and for the opportunity for me to aspire to be her equal, for which I will never achieve.
During high school, she was surrounded by a great group of friends that she loved. Due to the strength of their friendship and their respect for Robin, they accepted me as being important to Robin, even while we often competed as rivals. During this time, she charmed my buddies with her fun loving personality, beauty and honesty. While we were not always a couple in high school, we were never far from each other emotionally. I wish I was there for her during the time of her parents’ divorce, but I do know that her friends were there for her, for which I will always hold them in high regard.
During college, our relationship restarted and will never end. She is my best friend, my hero, my everything!
We moved in, got married, gave birth to Kyle in our first homes in Wisconsin. Then we enjoyed our tour of the Midwest with a move to Michigan, and April joined the family. Both of these births were high risk births as Robin suffered from the effects of a congenital aortic valve stenosis, but even with the challenges she faced, Robin gave birth to two fantastic kids, now adults. Robin flourished in the role of motherhood. She engulfed her children in a world of love, respect, and support. She was always there for them, even during her busy years as a teacher and counselor.
During this role as mother, she became very close to Kyle’s friends, and three foreign exchange students. I watched in great admiration as she extended her positive reach across families, continents and cultures. We were rewarded with our year with Fabio with a visit to his family in Colombia, where we witnessed the affection and love that Fabio had for Robin which was immediately shared by his parents and siblings. We will remain family with the Rendon’s forever based on the goodness of Robin to be there when Fabio needed a friend.
Beyond being a mom, Robin was a fabulous teacher, reading recovery specialist, and school Counselor in the Avon School District. During this time, she built her customary strong friendship with her co-workers (Jenny, Nancy, Spidey and everyone) who nicknamed her BIRDIE. Jenny, Nancy, and Robin were tireless teachers completely devoted to their classrooms, and the results showed. Over the years, when at sporting events that involved Avon, we would often meet a high school aged student, who came up to Robin, and said “you were the best teacher I ever had!” Robin would quickly return the compliment with a quick memory of the student, and tell them how proud she was to be their teacher.
Due to changes and location in my career, Robin eventually left Education, for which I am sad, as she was extremely gifted, but as with everything, she and I discussed the options, and made our decision. I never saw her look back with regret, she always moved forward. In this zeal, she has not always maintained her friendships, but that does not mean she does not care. She cares deeply, but she has an uncommon ability to live in the moment. This focus was a necessity in our family, as I am unfortunately one that is more plagued by looking forward.
Robin moved into her business career, first as educational trainer in Westlake, where she trained teachers on new technology to improve their classrooms. During this time she made her customary strong friendships with her colleagues, and her clients. Unfortunately this period did not last as the company moved out of state. At this time, Robin became an entrepreneur. Starting and building a successful small organization business, and also buying and building successful donut shop, Peace Love and Little Donuts of West Park. PLLD, as we call it has been a labor of love, where Robin built on the success of a great idea from Ron Razete of Pittsburgh and the effort and creativity of the original owners to create a business with raving fans. Beyond making great donuts, Robin has also been heavily involved in building a great team of young adult workers, who have benefitted from learning from a teacher, educator, mother, and customer savvy business woman. The work is just beginning at PLLD, but her protégé’s Chelsie, Amanda, and Rachel are ready to continue the love, creativity and professionalism of Peace Love and Little Donuts. Just this last week, Robin and her team hosted a tour group from a local Pre-school, who learned how we make the donuts, and how hand made donuts taste, plus a 7 year old’s birthday party, plus donations to the Bay Village Builder’s club and the local USO.
Robin’s life has been full of challenges. She chose the challenge of marrying me. She did not choose the challenge of living through a late high school divorce, the hardship of watching her sister Vickie lose her battle with Cancer, the death of my parents before we were thirty, and the death of Jodie’s husband, Eric. These emotional challenges were part of the battle that Robin was able to both endure for herself, but most impressively, she was able to be a ROCK for all in our extended family.
Robin did not choose to have a bad heart valve, and the unknown issues that we found out this week in her carotid arteries. What she did choose is to be the best person I have or will know, and just by being herself, she has had a profound impact on the lives of my family and a number of other people who were blessed to come into her world.
Please remember my Robbie, your Robin, your Birdie, your Rockin’ Robin with joy that I will forever share!
obituary:
Robin S. Andersson (nee Wanner), age 49, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her sister Vickie Wanner Limbach.
Beloved wife of 26 years to Tom Andersson; loving mother to Kyle and April Andersson; cherished daughter of Thomas Wanner and Marilyn Hug; dear sister to Jodie Mierins; and aunt to Emily Limbach.
A Celebration of Robin’s Life will take place at 1:00 PM, on Sunday, December 21, 2014, at Sunset Chapel, 6245 Columbia Rd, N. Olmsted.
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