Sylvia Davis Robinson's Obituary
Sylvia Robinson, 88, died peacefully Wednesday at her home in Ashburn, Virginia, surrounded by her family. She was born in Chester, Vermont, daughter of Marguerite Brown Davis and Karl W. Davis. Marguerite was a nurse in WWI and Karl was a Navy pilot during the war who later ran a hardware store in Chester. Sylvia’s sister, Priscilla, was five years older, and the two girls had fun together growing up in the small town, enjoying the outdoors. She attended Northfield School in Massachusetts for her last two years of high school, where she started studying French and played the saxophone in the marching band. Sylvia then attended Middlebury College in Vermont where she majored in French. After graduation in 1954, she moved to Washington DC with some friends from college. She worked as a translator and a programmer for the National Geographic Society, the National Security Agency, and then IBM. At IBM, she met Welba S. (Robie) Robinson, and they were married in August 1960. They lived in an apartment in Washington for a short while, then moved to a home in Silver Spring, Maryland. She continued working until her first child Susan was born, in May 1961. She had two other children, Linda and David in 1963 and 1965. In 1970, the family moved to the country, on Robin Court near Laytonsville, MD, where for over 40 years it was her pride and joy to call home. As the family grew, she welcomed her children’s spouses (Mauli Agrawal, Glenn Doyle, and Robin Robinson) and grandchildren (Ethan and Serena Agrawal, and Thomas and Daniel Robinson). In 2014, she moved to Ashburn, Virginia to be closer to David and his family.
Sylvia was an avid gardener, and spent a lot of time landscaping the yard and enjoyed being outdoors in the flower and vegetable gardens. She also shared her love of gardening with others, earning a Master Gardener certification, and answering questions for the Extension Service call-in help line, as well as working at a local nursery for a while. In addition to her volunteer work as a Master Gardener, Sylvia volunteered extensively in her community, including driving for Meals on Wheels, working at the polls on election days, and gardening, teaching, and raising money for St. Paul Methodist Church in Laytonsville. Sylvia also loved dogs, especially golden retrievers, and she had many faithful companions over the years. She was extremely energetic and crafty. Sewing, embroidery, braiding rugs, upholstery, making candles, cooking, baking, and canning were some of her passions. She refinished and reupholstered furniture and re-caned wicker chairs. She was a very talented knitter, and created beautiful sweaters, afghans, and many hats and scarves, and was talented enough to make some commissioned pieces that were sold in a boutique in Georgetown.
Throughout their lives, Sylvia was a wonderful mother to her children, guiding them, teaching them, visiting them when they moved away, and encouraging them to become all they could be. As a Mom she passed along so many values, including respect and consideration for others, diligence and the value of hard work, the value of education and knowledge, and independence and self-reliance. Her children loved her dearly. Sylvia loved her family, her husband, her children and their families, with no happier times than when all gathered together.
She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia later in life, and was happy in her later years despite the memory loss. We will always remember her for her smiles, her generosity, her energy, and her creativity. Her gentle and loving spirit touched and transformed the lives of many. May Sylvia’s memory be a blessing to all.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association. Please share online condolences with the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
The family would like to thank Home Helpers of Northern Virginia and especially Vinolia Simmons for their loving support and help in caring for Sylvia.
What’s your fondest memory of Sylvia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sylvia?
Share a story where Sylvia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sylvia you’ll never forget.
How did Sylvia make you smile?