Janice “Robyn” O'Quinn passed away unexpectedly on May 2, 2024. She leaves behind a legacy of love, authenticity, and adventure. Robyn’s life can best be encapsulated in these five words – family, friends, fillies, food, and fun. In her 76 years with us she experienced an abundance of each.
It could be said that Robyn had two great loves – her family and her horses. And on any given day, which came first was debatable! As a teenager, she was an avid equestrian rider and competed in many jumping competitions. As an empty nester she welcomed the opportunity to return to her horse-owning roots and ultimately joined trail riding clubs which quickly became her retirement passion and community of friends.
Robyn wholeheartedly embraced life, finding joy in travel, a chilled drink, anything with denim or fringe, a good audiobook, or simply in finding an opportunity to brag on her grandkids. She loved her family and friends fiercely and never met a stranger. Her candid spirit was legendary. She said what she meant, and she meant what she said – and we loved her for it. When not on a trail ride, Robyn tended to her garden, played with her three dogs, cared for her husband Ed, dropped in to visit friends and family, and baked her famous mango bread.
Her passing comes as a great shock and is deeply felt by her family and her wide network of friends. She will be remembered for her boisterous laugh, generous spirit, and unapologetic zest for life. Her home was filled with knick-knacks bearing the message “Love the life you live. Live the life you love.” She truly lived out that mantra.
Robyn, the middle child of three sisters, was born on October 22, 1947, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Edwin O'Quinn, whom she married on May 10, 1968, in Enterprise, Alabama. With stops in California, Hawaii and Colorado, they eventually settled in Conroe, Texas. Together, they built a loving family that includes their two sons and their families: Kevin O'Quinn of Keller, Texas, with his wife Kristen and their sons Samuel, Seth, and Scott, and Kenneth O'Quinn of Houston, Texas, with his wife Kim and their son Keller. Robyn is also survived by her sister, Rosanne Minson and brother-in-law, David Minson, her sister Jennifer Jones, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Owen Jones and Hazel Rosemary Jones.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Metcalf Funeral Directors, 1801 E White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas 77304. You are invited to come celebrate her life with us. Casual attire is welcome, so come as you are! And because Robyn thought no event was complete without food, light refreshments will be served.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly request donations be made in her name to Henry's Home, Horse and Human Sanctuary in Conroe, TX. Henry's Home is a 501c3 nonprofit run by all volunteers, which rescues horses, and other farm animals, and gives them a forever home and meaningful work in their veterans and first responder programs. Robyn would have enthusiastically supported such an organization.