Obituary

Our uniquely creative, deeply generous, astutely particular, and most beloved Jane Adele Robinson, 71, passed to the other side on Sunday, October 13, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. To no one’s surprise, she fought and made friends until the end, ultimately passing peacefully with her sister by her side.

Born 6 weeks early on July 31, 1953, to John and Ida Robinson, she was born a fighter. As Sister Jane, she admired her older brother, Tom Robinson, and loved her shadow of younger sister, Carol Robinson (Carraux).

She attended Glenwood Elementary School, Lincoln Junior High, graduating Stonewall Jackson High School in 1971. She was an avid Girl Scout, which is why perhaps she was always prepared with a pencil and permanent marker in her back pocket, and followed the song “make new friends and keep the old.” (She always loved a jingle.)

After graduating from Concord College, she became a lifelong educator for Fayette County Schools where she taught art her first four years then became everyone’s most terrifying and favorite middle school math teacher for the rest of her 36 year career. As Miss Robinson, she championed her students, caring for them in and out of school, on and off the basketball courts and cheer squads. She dressed up for Halloween, held her students accountable, and wasn’t afraid to upset the administration.

While she was a dedicated educator, her commitment to family and friends (who she also considered family) was unrivaled. A beloved aunt and great aunt to many bloodkin and chosen, she was the quintessential favorite who played, joked, and sent meticulously wrapped gifts that were always creatively cultivated and themed. Her family thanks her for being the patient and gracious caregiver to their mother and grandmother, Ida, until she passed in 2016.

Jane may have called you family from Asbury Church, Christ Methodist Church, Hattie Dillon Circle (Smithers Presbyterian Church), Almost Heaven Dulcimer Club, Calligraphy Guild, Ronald McDonald House, Parkside Place, Gauley Bridge, and Capital Clay Arts. As a cherished friend to multiples of many, she would feed, create for, fuss at and gift to each of us equally. She knew and appreciated your love, but would never expect anything in return.

Under the moniker, JAR, she was a master creator and an unbelievably talented artist across many mediums – Artist Jane, Painter Jane, Potter Jane made magic. Her latest and favorite form was pottery, because in her words, she didn’t master it (we beg to differ, but we all knew better than to fight her). Her light and love will continue on through her pottery, fused glass, woven baskets, origami, calligraphy, pysanky eggs, annual Christmas ornaments, and more. Her art, like her love, will not fade and we hope everyone who has a piece will be comforted by her lasting creative spirit.

She will be missed tremendously by her sister, Carol; Carol’s husband and her brother from another mother, Gary; sister-in-law Nancy, nephews Matthew (Larissa) and Ben (Jennifer); niece Amy (Chris); chosen niece Marie-Jeanne (Danny); great nieces (Bailey, Kate, Anna-Claude) and great nephews (Charlie, Henry, John); her Aunt LaNona Robinson; and several cousins, former students, and countless friends who were like family to her.

She was as generous as she was creative. She loved to find a deal and donate to both those older and younger than she. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make the life of a child better – no matter their age. Donations may be made to the Christ United Methodist Church (Charleston) or the Hattie Dillon Circle care of Patty Dempsey (P.O. Box 354 Smithers, WV 25186). You may also choose to support your favorite teacher or a Fayette County school group.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Christ Church United Methodist at 1221 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV, 25301, with a reception thereafter. Black hats are optional; you’ll find hers on the altar. A private burial will occur at a later date.

Visitation begins at 1 o’clock in the afternoon at the church.

We thank the healthcare professionals, staff, nurses, doctors and hospice team who cared for the woman with a deep aversion to needles. We thank, from the bottom of our hearts, those who have loved her and helped her in this journey.

We know that she will rest in beautiful, creative, and abundant peace after being welcomed to Heaven in grand fashion by her mom, dad, and brother Tom, uncles and aunts, and several more she also loved deeply. For surviving family, friends and former students – she loved each of you tremendously and she will keep you – we all now have a fiercely protective, deeply loving, sometimes ornery guardian angel.

Condolences may be sent to her family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.