Marilynn Robinson

Marilynn (Esther, Marilynn Dandridge Jones) Robinson passed away peacefully on August 11th, 2023, in the comfort of her husband after an extended illness.  She was the daughter of Maj. Gen. Junius W. Jones, USAF Ret. and Katherine Callahan and beloved wife of Reverend Virgil Robinson Jr. Lt. Col. USAF Ret. With her husband from the tender age of 17, and married for 62 years, she cultivated a festive life of service, art, and community. 

Marilynn was born on May 21st, 1938, in Denver Colorado, and raised between New Orleans, LA., Sacramento, CA., Washington D.C. and Paris, France. She has a B.A. from Louisiana State University and began her art career at the Newcomb Art School of Tulane University in New Orleans. She also studied at the John McCrady Art School in New Orleans, the Southwest Craft Center in San Antonio, Texas, the De Cordova Museum School in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and the Oxford College of Further Education in Oxford, England. Since residing in Northbrook, Illinois, Marilynn has worked at the Evanston Art Center and the Alain Gavin Studio. Former Illinois Governor James Thompson selected many of her ceramic pieces to present to foreign dignitaries in his overseas travels.

In watercolor, Marilynn has received an award of excellence from the North Shore Art League as well as purchase awards from Amoco Corporation and First Midwest Bank.  She has been awarded a one-person show at the Wilmette Library, was juried into ''The Five Senses: And the Written Word,'' an international art show and received the Viewer's Choice Prize. The Transparent Watercolor Society of America juried her watercolor into its 2008 exhibition.  In 2010 she was juried into the Mississippi Watercolor Society's 25th Grand National Exhibit.  In 2011 Marilynn was a signature member of the Watercolor West Arts Society in Brea, California, the Watercolor Missouri National in Fulton, Missouri, and the Kansas Watercolor Society National Exhibition, Wichita, Kansas.  Her work is in many private and corporate collections.

Survived by her husband, Reverend Virgil AA Robinson Jr.; and their two sons Virgil AA Robinson III and his wife Pamela Robinson; Philip W. Robinson and his wife Heather Rose-Dunning; grandchildren Adeline P. Robinson and her mother Liliana Onate, Walker D. Robinson and Wynne L. Robinson and their mother Maura S. Robinson; Pamela’s children Andrea Bent, Adam Johnson, David Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, and Mark Johnson; and Heather’s children Scarlet and Asher Rose-Dunning.

Marilynn leaves a tapestry of cousins, friends, and neighbors, all of whom she wove preciously into her life of art, spirituality, and classical music.  A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, WI. on October 21st at 2:00 PM with internment in the family cemetery at Christ Episcopal Church in St. Francisville, LA.  Date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a contribution to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or to your favorite charity.

Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847 866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com

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