Marilyn J Robbins

Marilyn Edith Jones Robbins, age 77, of San Bernardino, California, passed from this life on July 27, 2022, after an extended hospital stay during which she was afflicted with heart issues, pneumonia, and COVID. She lived an exceptional life, filled with goodness, service to others, and a dedication to always doing her best.

Marilyn was born on November 14, 1944, in Ogden, Utah, the eldest of four children born to Max Willard and Ellen Gardner Jones. She is survived by her siblings, Charles (Sue) Jones, Lorraine (Don) Barton, and Marvin (Annette) Jones. Marilyn grew up mainly in northern California, where she was an honors student, active in extracurricular activities, and an accomplished pianist. After graduating from high school, Marilyn enrolled at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where she studied elementary education. It was there that she met her husband of almost 57 years, Harold Bill Robbins. Marilyn and Bill were married in Oakland, California, on September 1, 1965. After they were married they continued to study at USU. Marilyn graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and was the salutatorian of her graduating class.

After graduating from USU with his Master’s degree, Bill entered the United States Air Force, a career which would take Bill, Marilyn and their growing family to Ohio, New Mexico, Utah, and ultimately San Bernardino, California, where they lived for over 40 years. Their family would grow to consist of one son, Greg Robbins, and five daughters: Suzy (Scott) Ames, Cynthia (Kevin) Newman, Alison Robbins, Diana (David) Libby, and Melissa (Kevin) Coutts. Marilyn was a devoted mother who dedicated her life to raising her children, including teaching them to play the piano, sew, and be good to each other. She was also a loving grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, several of whom were brought into the family by marriage. Marilyn always welcomed each new addition with love; she truly desired to make each one a part of the family, no matter what their circumstances might be.

Marilyn was an accomplished pianist, organist, and singer. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she shared her musical talents on a weekly basis with members of her congregation, both old and young. She particularly loved teaching singing to the children and guiding them in annual performances. In addition to teaching her children, Marilyn taught piano lessons to other students for many years. Marilyn was a talented seamstress and quilter. Her children can attest that each time they coveted a store-bought piece of clothing, she would assure them, “We can make that!” Marilyn was a founding member of the Inland Empire chapter of the American Sewing Guild and enjoyed the friendship of and time spent with other guild members. Marilyn also loved to make beautiful handmade cards, each one of a kind, which she would send to an extensive list of friends and family for each birthday and Christmas.

Marilyn suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for her entire adult life. Despite the pain and limitations it forced upon her, she continued to develop and share her talents. She was a cancer survivor who met each new health challenge with a determination to overcome it. As a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ, Marilyn found great comfort in her Savior and the promise of a resurrection in a new, glorified body. She took solace in her faith in God and exercised firm hope in the promise that mortal life is not the end, and that her family would be reunited again. Marilyn will be dearly missed but her family takes comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on, freed of the limitations and suffering her body endured in this life.

A committal service for Marilyn will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Mt. View Mortuary & Cemetery, 570 East Highland Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92404. Following the committal service will be a funeral service from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7000 Central Ave, Highland, CA 92436.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtviewsanbernardino.com for the Robbins family.