Beatrice Erdine Robbins Obituary (1910 - 2012)

HALLOWELL -- Beatrice Erdine Robbins, 102, passed away peacefully at her home at Granite Hill Estates in the early morning of March 28, 2012. Mrs. Robbins was born Beatrice Farwell on Jan. 2, 1910, the daughter of Lyndon L. Farwell and Grace (Morrill) Farwell in New Gloucester. Mrs. Robbins was educated in the public schools of New Gloucester and graduated from Gorham Teacher's College. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Maine at Orono. Beatrice taught in New Gloucester, Wells, Saco and Augusta. In 1942, she married the Rev. Douglas Robbins in New Gloucester, and together they resided in Orange, Mass., for one year before settling in Augusta, Maine, where they raised their daughter, Carol. Bea was a contributing member of the Winthrop St. Universalist Church of Augusta, where her husband ministered for 30 years. Mrs. Robbins was active in the Julia Robinson, Murray Alliance and Winchester Groups of that church and was the past president of Augusta College Club, Kennebec Valley Church Women's Association and the Universalist Women of Maine. She later was a member of the Ladies' Aid of Old South Church, Belgrade, The Augusta Study Club, The Nature Club and The Retired Teacher's Association. In January of this year, she was honored by the City of Hallowell as the community's oldest resident in a ceremony opening its 250th anniversary. Bea wrote poetry and chronicled her youth in writing that she shared with friends and family. She spent her summers in Camden at her cottage on Megunticook Lake where she enjoyed many years with several generations. She leaves a legacy of family, interesting stories and anecdotes of Maine life throughout the past century. Beatrice was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Norman and Ronald Farwell; and her husband, the Rev. Douglas Robbins. Survivors include her daughter, Carol Robbins, of Gardiner; grandsons Marc Brann of Portland and Stephen Brann of Gardiner; granddaughters Amy Foster and her husband, Edward, of South Portland, and Jessica Levis and her husband, Arthur, of Santa Fe, N.M.; nephew James Farewell of New Gloucester; niece Patricia Edwards of Cumberland; and great-grandchildren Elizabeth Foster, Rachel Foster, Evan Levis, Michael Levis and Julianna Levis. The family wishes to thank caregivers Sandi Fitzherbert, Penny Snider, Cecile Studley and HealthReach Hospice for their excellent care and compassion. Visiting will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop St., Augusta. Burial will be held at a later date in Moss Side Cemetery, Cumberland.