Julie Ann Robinson

Julie Ann (Roe) Robinson, was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1942 and passed peacefully on August 27, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones. A woman of deep faith, Julie continued to share her feelings of gratitude, of being blessed and continued to assure us all that she had found her "heaven on earth" during her final days of visits with those so dear to her. Anyone she knew who was challenged by illness or hardship was immediately added to her prayer list and remained there. Julie grew up in Detroit and was the only child of Richard and Cecelia Roe. Despite a difficult childhood, she had many "mothers." So many mothers - Aunt Angela, Aunt Marge, Sister Louise at St. Mary’s Academy, Sister Thomas Aquine at Rosary and Sarah Paul her beloved dance teacher. They had such a profound impact on the formation of her faith and on her future. All nurtured her and through their unconditional love and continuous support she learned to center her world around her faith, love deeply and live a grace-filled life. Her deep faith was rooted in the religious formation that started during her elementary school days at Gesu in Detroit, continued during junior high at St. Mary’s Academy in Windsor, Canada, followed by her high school years at Rosary in Detroit. It was here that she met an amazing group of women that she has remained close to all throughout the next 64 years. After graduating she held a few different jobs while also dancing professionally for Toni Sunshine. It was during this time that a former colleague introduced her to a fellow she worked with named Ray Robinson. After a few phone calls and a blind date over Labor Day weekend in 1965, a love that would last a lifetime was formed. They dated for a few months, became engaged and were married on April 15, 1966. When comparing their childhood experiences, they learned they had lived within a mile of each other for a time, but didn't realize until almost 40 years later that they had been in the same kindergarten class in Detroit. They bought their starter home in Ferndale in 1969 and their first daughter, Missy, arrived the next year. Four years later, their second daughter, Beth, who immediately became known as Bunny was born. Their family was complete. They loved their home on West Oakridge and took so much pride in improving it inside and out. Their neighbors were also great friends. They loved their years in that home. Only the opportunity to move into a home with her daughter Beth's family was enough to persuade them to leave 454 after forty-six years. It was a wonderful move that allowed her to spend five years with the Mitchell crew and the incredible neighbors who became fast friends on Greenleaf. Julie's focus was always on faith and family. Once married, she and Ray joined St. James in Ferndale. When Missy was starting fifth grade and Beth first grade, they made the life changing decision to join Shrine and send the girls to school there as well. They were welcomed to the parish by Fr. Prus who in her words is a “direct conduit to Jesus”. He was the first of many wonderful priests that she grew to love, but he has been by far the most influential of them all. She became involved with the school and created lifelong friendships as did Ray and her girls which led to Julie's four grandchildren attending Shrine schools as well. The Shrine community has supported her family in countless ways over the years and especially during these last few weeks of her life and the days that followed. She created a most loving home for her girls. She was even selected "Young Michigan Mother of the Year." She shared her many talents and cultivated in them a love of dancing, sewing, basket weaving, baking, organizing, decorating and simply listening if that’s all that was called for. But most importantly she taught them by example how to live a life centered around Christ. In 1984 she went back to work and managed the Physician Referral and Information Service at Beaumont Royal Oak for 24 years. She worked hard and was well-respected by her colleagues and staff, but also knew how to have good fun with this crew and remained friends with many of them throughout her life. After retirement she joined chapter P of the philanthropic organization, PEO. Here she served as treasurer and experienced a sisterhood like no other. She learned a great deal from these dedicated women and she was very proud of the work they performed. One of her most amazing features was her smile. It lit up her face and made her eyes sparkle. She continued to smile until the end. She started every day with a smile and ended it with one as well. Looking through a lifetime of photos, most every picture showed her beautiful smile. Her smile reflected her personality. She was never one to complain about anything - circumstances, misfortune, illness, nothing. She turned conversations to the positive and found the good in everything. As one friend shared, she made everyone she met feel so special. She was a beautiful soul who always made you feel like she'd just been waiting to meet you, and once you had, you felt like you had known her forever. She was a collector. Fine antiques, beautiful books, KLM houses and most importantly, friends. Kindergarten friends. High school friends. Neighbors who became friends. Dance friends. Knitting friends. Work friends. PEO friends. Once you befriended her, you were bound for life and blessed to be so. She had many talents, but one of her greatest passions was dance. She loved all forms though her favorites were tap and ballet. She was a gifted dancer who performed in high school productions and then professionally until her marriage to Ray. Her love of dance continued - to waltz with her husband, clogging and tap dancing with her friends, Irish step dancing with her daughters and even hip-hop classes with Missy after her 70th birthday. Julie had many passions and interests and was skilled at all of them. Needlepoint, cross-stitch, knitting and sewing, sewing, sewing. She lovingly created clothing for the entire family and many beautiful items to enhance the décor in her home. She was also an entrepreneur - one of four women who after taking basket weaving classes decided to sell them very successfully at craft fairs. Her favorite request was, “do you have this in blue?” Julie loved to travel. She and Ray created countless family memories spanning more than 40 years of trips Up North with 4 then 6 then 10. Eventually their travels took them overseas to England which was one of her favorite destinations that she travelled to several times with her dearest friends. This love of all things English led to hosting afternoon teas, planting fabulous gardens, decorating with treasured items that travelled over the pond. But her greatest joy was inspiring her girls to visit this beautiful countryside in 2018. Who knew a trip she didn’t even go on could be so meaningful to her, but indeed it was. Overall, she was the epitome of the phrase “a life well lived.” It wasn’t always easy, but she always made it feel that way with her grace and love and pure joy. She will forever be in the hearts of all who knew her, as we are in hers. Julie is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Ray, her two daughters, Missy (Jeff) Ewald and Beth (Matt) Mitchell and four grandchildren, Ben and Chris Ewald, Lauren and Megan Mitchell, and their sweet golden retriever, Molly who none of us could believe she finally agreed to get but who served lovingly as her “comfort” dog and that she loved dearly. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, September 1 at 10 a.m. at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak. Visitation at 9:30 at the church. For those unable to attend, the mass will also be available via the Livestream button on the Shrine website at https://www.shrinechurch.com/. Memorial contributions can be made to the Philanthropic Educational Organization, where women CELEBRATE the advancement of women; EDUCATE women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College and MOTIVATE women to achieve their highest aspirations. Checks should be made out to PEO Foundation and mailed to: PEO Treasurer M. Sorge, 5955 Wing Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

Julie Ann Robinson

June 23, 1942 - August 27, 2020