Marilyn Annamae Robison

I, Marilyn Robison, came into the world at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri to George Max Robison and my mother Marguerite, who all agree seemed to have been a bit more refined than George. My early life wasn’t trouble-free as my mother died when I was 13. With my family, I made my way out to Washington and I compressed four years of high school into three years. On July 1, 1951, at the age of 17, I married Al Bircher. We were divorced about 25 years later, but in the meantime, even though I was practically a kid having kids, I was blessed with one son and three daughters. During those early family years I worked as a bookkeeper for Bell’s Pharmacy, Treasurer-Clerk for the town of Ione (1965 to 1968), and the construction receptionist-clerk at the Seattle City Light’s Boundary dam construction project in north Pend Oreille County. I resigned the first two positions to take a transfer clerk position with Seattle City Light in Seattle. I am proud to say that I was soon promoted to Accounting Clerk for Seattle City Light in February of 1968. I kept upgrading my City Light career along the way by always taking continuing education classes. I worked my way up to Senior Cost Account Manager until my retirement in 1994. I guess I will say, in all humility, that I was born a country girl who became a city girl quite successfully.

My life was rich and full, and not just about work. When others have said about me that I was athletic, strong and adventurous, I smile. That might make me even happier than when they say I was a very pretty child who grew into a very pretty woman. I loved taking my family on long camping trips. We would go two or three weeks at a time, catching fish to then cook over the fire. I taught my children to swim: we played badminton, did ice skating and roller skating. I liked piling the kids in the car and getting them all to sing along on our road trips. I loved to travel too; enjoying cruises to Mexico, as well as motor home trips to the Washington and Oregon coasts and trips with my children to Hawaii and Yellowstone. I really enjoyed my stint as a senior Girl Scout leader. I always loved the forested mountains, the lovely lakes and rushing rivers. Nature gave me great joy.

I guess you could say that I am proud of a lot in my life. Maybe what I am most proud of is just taking positive action for others who were less fortunate than I was. I’m really proud that I was instrumental at organizing protests to facilitate equal pay for all genders, colors and creeds. I have been a foster parent, both formally, and informally just housing friends and family members as they made transitions in their careers. Some have called me a mentor and that pleases me a lot. I put my prolific crocheting to work in the service of the homeless, making them many wonderful blankets, scarves, vests, sweaters and many, many hats. My work with the brain injury support group was immensely satisfying. I loved to read and undertake metaphysical and personal growth studies; my reading ranged from ancient history to indigenous people’s history. All my reading helped me to think differently and put myself in other’s shoes. I like to think that I was helpful to a lot of people in my life. That brings me a lot of satisfaction.

Other folks have called me creative. I definitely enjoyed all kinds of arts and crafts. I used to make my children’s clothes, both daily wear and dress clothes, including elaborate Easter dresses. I made fancy costumes for summer festival or Halloween. I even made my own tiny exotic clothes when my hobby was belly dancing. I made clothes for the needy, distributed through the church. I made costumes for the kids for their talent shows.

It wasn’t all fun, costumes and games for my children, though. I held them to a high standard of behavior. I definitely wasn’t a push-over as a mom. I made them do chores and if one kid didn’t complete her chores, the other three would either pitch in or all would be grounded together. My motto was: All for One and One for All.” I guess I was a little strict, but I think it worked. I mean, they turned out ok and became independent, successful adults. I am proud of each and every one.

Regarding the legacy of my kids, they themselves say that I could be kind of strict sometimes; they say I had a lot of “fire”, but I want them to know that everything I did was with love in my heart. I mean for them to remember the distilled sweetness with which I loved them. I was a warrior with a loving heart. I fought hard. And I want to believe that I taught them to fight hard too; to fight hard for the rights of all living beings. I hope that they take from my example, knowing that I fought against the bigotry and prejudice that existed in the small town that had a difficult time receiving and welcoming a lone Japanese-American family. I hope that they remember that as my legacy; standing up to that prejudice. I questioned a lot and it didn’t make things go smoothly all the time for me, but I am proud, for example, of maintaining my own religious identity while raising my children Catholic as required by my wedding vows to a Catholic man in the early 1950’s not converting to Catholicism as often suggested by the Catholic clergy in Ione. I am proud of embracing all manner of ideas. I’m proud that I loved a black man when society frowned upon it. I’m proud of resisting polite society where it mattered, even when it was difficult. I’m proud that I was an unconventionally ordained minister. Even to the end, I overheard them saying in my last residence at the Independent Living facility, that “Marilyn is sweet, but she sure has her opinions!” Well, how boring life would be without strong opinions! My life was definitely NOT boring.

I taught my kids to learn that mistakes were not necessarily wrong. I hope that they remember well that saying: “You have to crash a few times on the bike before you learn how to ride”. I believe I imparted to each of them common sense and street smarts. And they all definitely have that strong signature individuality that I like to think I had in my life. I encouraged them to think about what they are doing in life. I know they still remember the saying I repeated often: “If so and so jumped off a cliff would you jump too?!!”

In the end, though there were struggles, and though I mourned the loss of my sister Joan and lost loves, I can say with confidence that I lived a good and fulfilling life. I’m very glad for the good I’ve done, for the help I have been to other people. And I can also say I really, really enjoyed the many artful conversations I had with so many people. In addition, I took a lot of joy from being with the animals. I sure loved Calico my favorite calico cat. I am proud of how Al and I were able to let our bitterness fade after our marriage ended and settle into friendship. I am proud of a lot.

I made my way from the country to the city during my life, but my heart sings when I know that my children plan to scatter me back to the Northeastern Washington mountain lakes where my heart is attached. That’s where I will feel most at peace. Those mountain lakes are where I most belong.

I just want to thank everyone in my tribe for being on my earthly journey with me. That I got to share the same sun with you all those years is such a delight.

I thank my three daughters: Sue, Sandy and Kelly. You really were my perfectly adored daughters. You are so amazing.

And Ken, thank you for being so reliable and ambitious. You truly are my favorite son.

Thanks to my daughter-in-law Judy, and to my sons-in-law Tom, Kevin, and Ron.

And many blessings upon my beloved 9 grandchildren:

Byron, Robert, Ron, Sky, Devin, Chelsie, Marina, Andy and Serena.

…and 10 great-grandchildren: Carter, Ellie Jo, Scarlett, Wyatt, Hannah, Paige, Luke, Zoey, Jackson and Logan.

I feel warmed to be treasured in your hearts forever. It has been a wonderful life. I treasure you back. Bon Voyage!