BAR HARBOR – Brenda Lee Robinson peacefully passed away to be with the Lord on April 15, 2004. Her family was constantly close around her and she was ready to go. Brenda’s greatest concern was for her life mate, Arthur MacPike and her grandchildren, Jason, Samantha, Hannah and Lirael, all of whom she loved very much. Brenda is survived by her sons and stepchildren, Davis B. Robinson and wife, Barbara, James Robinson and wife, Jocelyn, Richard MacPike, Patricia MacPike and Karl Wolfe; also two young men who were called adopted sons, Harry Hamblen and Pat Phippen. Brenda was born Nov. 19, 1944, the second of six children of Kathleen Grant and Eugene S. Watts of Roque Bluffs, and Deland, Fla. Surviving sisters and brothers are, Barbara Staples and husband, Loel, Eva Rice and husband, David, Colleen Bennett, Carol Bell and husband, Ray, John and wife, Elayne Watts; also a special brother, Lloyd Bennett; and a brother-in-law, Neil Robinson. Brenda had many nieces and nephews. All were special to her, as were her aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Davis B. Robinson; her father, Eugene S. Watts; and her grandparents, Vera and Roscoe Grant, and Geneva and Scott Watts. As a child, Brenda loved Church and Sunday school, and insisted that prayers before every meal was a necessary part of the day. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to be creative and the won blue ribbons at the fair. Brenda made headlines at an early age when the Bar Harbor Times ran pictures of her on the front page with the caption “The Youngest Lobster Fisherman on the Coast is a Beautiful Young Girl.” The pictures showed her in her boat, dressed in dungarees, rowing out to tend her traps that she and her dad built. Besides those pictures, there was one of her in school clothes with her dolls in the bow window studying her homework. Home was the gathering place for girls in the neighborhood. First as a girls club, then organized into the first Girl Scout and Brownie troops in the Southwest Harbor/Manset area. In her grown up years, Brenda became interested in the Order of Eastern Star and served in most of the stations in the lovely order for 18 years. She served as Worthy Matron in Machias Chapter OES No. 83 and in Mt. Desert Chapter No. 20 a total of 7 years and had dual memberships. Brenda also served as Grand Representative, as District Deputy Grand Matron and as Grand Warder. Brenda combined her love of Eastern Star and her love of country when she organized and led the OES Flag and Drill team. She led them in ceremonies and marches all over the state. She loved this group of loyal friends and always said they would only remain a team as long as it was fun to do so, no pressure. One member of the team was he beloved dog, Travis. Travis was the “star of the show” on many occasions and he traveled with her everywhere. One great love of her life was her grandchildren, Jason and Samantha. Her last week before her final illness, was spent on a “secret” trip with them to Florida (Disney World, Sea World and Cape Canaveral and of course swimming). The children knew only that they were on vacation, destination unknown! It will be remembered always, I am very sure. Another great highlight was a third grandchild, Lirael, a beautiful little girl that she got to hold and love. Brenda’s positive attitude, faith and love carried her through her long struggle with cancer and made it possible for her loved ones to say “Goodbye Brenda, we will see you soon again. God loves you too much to see you suffer long. Brenda, we will love you forever!” Many people were faithful to Brenda with their phone calls, letters, cards and prayers. Thank you all! We would especially like to thank the four pastors who held her up with their special prayers, counsel and blessings. They are the Rev. David Smith, Rev. Denzel Channell, Rev. Clifford Cain, and her own brother-in-law, Rev. Loel Staples, who was always there for her as a friend, brother, counselor and inspiration. A memorial celebration of Brenda’s life will be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 23, in Trenton, at the American Legion Post No. 207. In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution in Brenda’s memory to the Mary Dow Center or Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, 50 Union St, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor.
BRENDA LEE ROBINSON
