Obituary for Donna Louise Robinson Donna Louise Jeck was born on April 14th, 1931, the daughter of a prominent Midwestern businessman. She spent her childhood on the lakeshore of Fairmont, Minnesota, where was born her love of the water, her playful spirit, and a penchant for getting in “good trouble”. She was schooled at Ferry Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois, where she was best known for her Marshall Fields cashmere sweaters and quite a rebellious streak—a quality that lasted throughout the course of her life.
She gleefully recanted the story of sneaking out of school, only to end up photographed on the front page of the Des Moines Register—the paper her father subscribed to–in a canoe in the middle of the Iowa River…with a boy. She was to have been in Chicago. Nevertheless, she was the apple of her father’s eye, and could charm anyone with her smile and zest for life.
That charm caught the attention of the young man who would become her husband and best friend, Jerry Robinson. They recently celebrated 65 long and wonderful years of marriage, though when asked the secret to a happy one, she would reply with a wry smile that she didn’t have a secret, that things were always still “touch and go”. She was the love of his life, and he, hers.
Together they moved to Wisconsin and started a family—her proudest accomplishment was being the mother to three mischievous sons, Rob, David, and Doug. They lovingly remember their childhood as being filled with fresh-baked cookies, Meatloaf Mondays, and plenty of well earned “Just wait until your father gets home”. Those boys grew up and started families of their own, and Donna became better known as ‘Nannie’ to her five grandchildren.
They loved to spend their summers and holidays at Camp Okauchee, the family home on the lake in Okauchee, Wisconsin. Nannie was the best “camp counselor” and grandma, always accommodating the whims of her grandkids, whether it was ice cream before dinner, cheering on paddleboat races across the lake, or indulging her granddaughters in experimenting with her vast collection of lipsticks, she never missed a beat. She and Jerry retired full-time to Ft.
Myers Beach in 1996, where their days were spent riding bikes, boating, watching sunsets, and enjoying happy hours, always requesting a nicely chilled chardonnay and a seat by the window. She enjoyed having visitors, and in recent years relished in welcoming her great grandchildren to the beach she so loved. Donna loved her many friends—she was a member of a Bridge Club and The Sus Lionettes.
On the island, she enjoyed exercising with her girlfriends at what was affectionately referred to as “Rug Class”—Debbie Reynolds on VHS was her favorite–bowling, lunching, and she never missed an opportunity to attend or participate in a parade. To know Donna, Mom, Nannie, GNa was to fall in love with her hearty laugh, her bright smile and to stand in wonder of how so much joy could be packed into such a petite frame. She left every place she went a little brighter, a little sweeter, and her presence here will be forever missed.
Friends are welcome Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at The Church of the Ascension, Ft. Myers Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 P.M. following the visitation.
Following the services at the church, the family will receive friends, at a celebration of her life at The Clubhouse at The Palms at Bay Beach located at 4248 Bay Beach Lane. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to Lee Health Foundation, P.O. Box 2218, Ft Myers, FL 33902 or Boys Town, P.O. Box 6000, Boys Town, NE 68010. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.
ShikanyFuneralHome.com Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home& Crematory. Family owned and operated since 1978. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donna Louise Robinson please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 Google, INEGI Terms of Use MAY 3. 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Church of the Ascension 6025 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL, US, 33931 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Donna’s Visitation begins.
Funeral Mass 2018 Google, INEGI Terms of Use MAY 3. 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM Church of the Ascension 6025 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL, US, 33931 Order Flowers for the Funeral Mass Guaranteed delivery before Donna’s Funeral Mass begins.
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