ANN ROBINSON

SERVICES: 11:00 AM WEDNESDAY 12/26/2018 at HEBREW MEMORIAL CHAPEL A LINK WILL BE PROVIDED FOR A WEBCAST OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE Ann Sharon Robinson, a/k/a Anna Banana, 83, native of Detroit, passed away on December 25, 2018 in Farmington Hills, Michigan due to complications of diabetes and dementia. She was born on Friday, December 13, 1935, in southwest Detroit to Madeline and Elmer Holten. She was the eldest of three; her siblings were Beverly and Robert. She was married to Alvin Stilman in 1957, divorced in 1973; later married to Phil Robinson in 1976, widowed in 1989; then a partner of Peter Benz from 2004 until his death in 2018. She attended Cass Tech High School, graduating in 1954 with honors from the Commercial Art Department. She attended classes on a scholarship at Center for Creative Studies then later in her 30’s attended Wayne State University, obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, majoring in Special Education in 1973, then in 1983 obtained a Master’s Degree in Education, with a focus on Reading. Ann was first employed as an art teacher for Detroit Public Schools at Day School for the Deaf, and then became a Teacher/Consultant for the Special Education Department. Ann was raised Catholic, but converted to Judaism before marriage to Alvin Stilman. She lived her entire life in Detroit except for a 2 ½ year period when she and Alvin were first married and he was drafted in Army stationed in Nuremburg, Germany. Their first son Jeffrey was born there, then after their return to Detroit their second son Steven was born. Ann’s brother Bob (Margie) bore two children, Mark (Cheryl) and Rachel (Tim) making her an Aunt, then later a Great Aunt to Andrew and Adam, and Mia and Graham respectively. In marriage she became the stepmom to Jeff and Scott Robinson, and pseudo stepmom to Gretchen, Moirasheen and Meghan Benz, as well as Sister-in-Law to Henrietta (Mike), Gladys (Teddy) and Beatrice, and Aunt to Terry (Stanley), Elayne (Barry), Sharon (Arnie) and Larry, and Great Aunt to Lee (Bonnie) Melissa (Jon) Hilary (Julian), Jeremy. She also in more recent years had a cat name Monet which she adored. Ann’s artistic abilities were noted at a very young age. Several letters were written by her teachers who saw her talent and encouraged her to pursue it. She won a prize for drawing a horse when she was 12, just the first of many throughout her life. She was quite honored to have had a piece exhibited at the Scarab Club. Not only did she use paint, but also used pastels, pen and ink, stenciled logos for bowling shirts, created flyers for businesses, quilted, created a Rock City, made jewelry, pottery, and lovingly a nursery rhyme mural for her grandchildren’s nursery. Ann won 1st place in a contest that took place when an addition was built to the Northland Mall of Southfield. Ann was an avid reader. Her other hobbies included being part of group of long-time friends who played Mah Jongg, listening to jazz, photography, then more recently Bingo. She was a collector of art in the form of frogs and quilted dolls. Ann will be remembered as a loving Mother, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister-in-Law, Aunt, Great Aunt, and friend to many. We will all miss her sense of humor, non-judgmental personality, willingness to try anything once, political advocacy, supporter of the arts, and lover of chocolate! She is survived by her sons Jeff (Erin) and Steven (Ron Leuterio), grand-children Joshua (Jessica) Stilman, Leah (Christopher) Jansen, great-grandchild Cambria Stilman, Sister-in-Law Margie Holten. Nieces Terry (Stanley) Schwartz, Elayne (Dr. Barry) Moss, Larry Stein, Sharon Golob, Mark (Cheryl) Holten, Rachel (Tim) Parker, and many great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by spouse Phil Robinson, long-time companion Peter Benz, sister Beverly (Frank) Vojcek, brother Robert Holten, Sisters-in-Law Henrietta (Mike) Weingarden, Gladys (Teddy) Allen, and Beatrice Stein. Services will be held at the Hebrew Memorial Chapel at 11:00 a.m. located at 26640 Greenfield Road in Oak Park, Michigan, 48237, officiated by Rabbi Rubenstein Three words to describe Ann: Open-minded, Artist, Optimist OFFICIATING: Rabbi S. Rubenstein INTERMENT: Hebrew Memorial Park Cemetery SHIVA: The family will observe Shiva through Wednesday evening at the residence of Elayne and Dr. Barry Moss 20232 Forestwood Southfield, MI (248) 354-6420 THE FAMILY HAS REQUESTED THEIR PRIVACY BETWEEN 4:00 PM AND 6:30 PM RELIGIOUS SERVICES: 7:00 PM WEDNESDAY EVENING CONTRIBUTIONS: If you would like to further honor the memory of ANN ROBINSON you may do so by making a contribution to: In lieu of flowers, the family of Ann Robinson wishes to have her honored by making a donation to http://www.artroadnonprofit.org/.

ANN ROBINSON

December 13, 1935 - December 25, 2018

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ANN ROBINSON

December 13, 1935 - December 25, 2018

Obituary Notification

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