Obituary of Mary S. Robinson

Mary Zabava, the youngest of five siblings grew up in Paterson, NJ and attended St. Stephen’s School on Martin Street. She then attended School #25, after moving to Michigan Avenue, where she met Gerard (Jerry) Robinson, her husband of 46 years. Mary graduated from Eastside High School and St. Vincent’s School of Nursing. She was a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, until Jerry Jr., Walt, Pete, and Cliff demanded all of her time. Mary was a founding member of St. Brendan’s Parish in Clifton where all her boys attended school. She loved the family vacations in Vermont and after raising their boys, they traveled frequently to South Hero and Stowe, VT. After losing her husband, Gerard Sr. in 1987, she was able to live in Vermont for several years before returning to New Jersey. Mary was very proud of her 4 sons, 11 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Mary’s last years were spent under the amazing, incredible, and loving care of the wonderful staff at Sunrise Senior Living of West Essex. Perhaps she lived 103 years because she always had a reason to get up each day; she knew she was needed. Her desire to show love and support of family and others gave her strength and a purpose in life that bolstered her for all those years. Her devotion to God and her family had no bounds. She was the one who resolved conflicts by believing in people, never being judgmental, looking for ways to help and not finding fault in others. Throughout her life her love and caring extended beyond her family to many other lives that she touched and helped, be it a ride to a doctor or a simple coffee visit. Her unique sense of humor was a special gift that had always been enjoyed by her family. Although Mary will be greatly missed, she is now where she always wanted to be. She is survived by her 4 devoted sons: Gerard Robinson Jr. and his wife, Teresa, of South Hero, VT, Walter Robinson and his wife, Christine Robinson, of Brooklyn, NY, Peter Robinson and his wife, Theresa, of Lincoln Park, NJ and Clifford Robinson and his wife, Valerie, of Wall Township, NJ and her godchild, Francine Telischak of Florida. Due to the current Covid situation, visiting and the burial will be restricted to the immediate family. A “Celebration of Life” will follow in the spring.