Robin Elizabeth Atkinson

Robin Elizabeth Atkinson, 60, November 3rd 1956 to October 6th 2017, passed away after a fierce battle with cancer. Robin is survived by her mother, Betty Atkinson, of Carmichael; her sisters Beverly Hine (Peter), Merilee Atkinson (Andrew), Patty Sanborn (Bill) and nephew Evan Sanborn, his wife Megan and daughters, Robin’s great-nieces, Astrid and Avaree, and many cousins. Robin also leaves behind many friends, and honorary sisters, Carol Croyle and Sharon Sturm, who stood by her and helped her, providing incredible support and love, Therese, Robert, and Christian Sutton, her beloved Godson, and Bob Ryder, who treated her to trips to Hawaii and New York, where she met X-Files star, David Duchovny. Robin is preceded in death by her dad, Bill Atkinson, Godmother, Aletha Worrall, many well-loved family dogs and her cat, M. We fully believe that Daddy, Aletha and most of the dogs greeted her upon her arrival to the Elysian Fields. Robin had many interests, including theatre, in which she majored at California State University, Sacramento; groups that she made many friends through, including Jane Austen enthusiasts, and X-Files fans, many of whom she visited in their home states. Robin was a talented writer, and published highly-regarded fan-fiction. Robin was a great cook, but her real claim to fame were her legendary tea parties, complete with her delicious scones. Robin had a nearly lifelong love for the Beatles, and was able to see Ringo Starr (her favorite) on stage for her 60th birthday. She was a big movie fan and was thrilled when Jane Austen books, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, were made into films, Colin Firth being the icing on the cake. Robin’s early working life was in retail, most notably Weinstock’s, for seventeen years, where she managed different departments. Hewlett-Packard Enterprises was her employer for over twenty years and generously allowed her to tele-commute when she became the primary care-giver for mom, Betty. Robin continued to work at home when she could no longer drive and was extremely dedicated to her work. Robin loved all holidays, but especially Christmas and the 4th of July, when she decorated her house, with, as we ironically called it, ‘wretched excess.’ It was actually warm and lovely and we all enjoyed Christmas more through her thoughtfulness and clever gift-giving. For years, Robin and Daddy put on backyard fireworks shows for family and friends, and nobody invited missed them. Robin graduated from Tracy High School in 1974, while living on Union Island, in the Stockton-San Joaquin Delta. It was a wonderful place to be a kid, with lots of adventures and a pure sense of freedom. Robin also loved the seaside and Pacific Grove where she often visited her Godmother, Aletha Worrall, with whom she shared a birthday. Robin will be missed for so many reasons, but especially her witty, sharp and absurd sense of humor, her love of books and film, her sense of fun and laughter as well as her kindness and generosity, love for immediate and larger family of friends, as a great traveling companion, her compassion for all, her integrity and dedication, her willingness to make sacrifices and just because. In lieu of flowers, Robin requested that donations be made to Capitol Public Radio, or KVIE (the local PBS station) or a charity of your choice. Robin requested no services.