Marianne Wilson Robinson
Marianne Wilson Robinson lived a life full of God’s grace and charity. She passed peacefully at home in Kalispell in the early morning on Oct. 1, 2019, at the age of “101.8438.” “Nana” was constantly surrounded by family and friends and will be missed deeply. We ask that you pray for the repose of her soul.
Marianne was born to Amon and Nellie Lamb in Mancos, Colorado, on Nov. 27, 1917. She had two older brothers and two younger sisters. Smart as a whip, she graduated valedictorian of her high school class at age 15, jumped on a train and went directly to college in Colorado Springs. After graduating with a business degree at age 19 she met and courted Herbert Wilson. After pitching woo and showing Grand Junction, Colorado, a good time Herbert and Marianne married in the Catholic Church. While in Grand Junction they birthed three children, Joey, Bill and Katie. When Herbert fell ill, they moved to Tucson, Arizona, “for the better air” and gave birth to two more children, Canice and Herbie Jr. Marianne definitely lived her share of suffering and tragedy. She lost two of her children, Joey and Herbie Jr., very early in their life and then lost her husband Herb while still raising three young children. Always living life with grit and a positive outlook, Marianne went right to work selling insurance for Mutual of Omaha while taking care of her three kids and making Jesus number one in her life. The spunk she developed at this time is how Nana will always be remembered.
Soon after her children had been raised, Marianne became a grandmother. Grandchildren were everything to Nana and she lived her life not only for their well-being but for their salvation in heaven. When her first set of grandchildren moved to Montana she followed. Packing everything she had in a U-Haul, dealing with breakdowns and pulling a mechanic out of church to get her on the road again, she finally pulled into Kalispell in 1973, a road weary and proud grandmother. She hit the ground running, selling insurance and immediately becoming a strong parishioner at Saint Matthew’s. She eventually became the housekeeper and cook at the rectory. But God had other plans.
Marianne met a man named Clarence Robinson; they fell in love, married and Nana became “Annie” to a brand new extended family. They loved her and she returned their love. Nana took up selling Worldbook, gardening, canning and raised her cooking to a whole new level. Grandkids grew and Nana became a great-grandmother. Great-grandkids were completely spoiled with blessings, prayers, kisses and Christmas cookies. There are a ton of people that have been touched by Marianne in their lives. She truly lived her life for others and looked forward to finding ways to make life better for this entire community.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Bill Wilson (Linda), Katie Smith (Burly) and Canice Daffern; many grandchildren, spouses, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A Rosary will be prayed at Saint Matthew’s school gym at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 3. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Matthew’s school gym at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, with burial to follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to the reconstruction of Saint Matthew’s Church in Marianne’s name.
Friends are encouraged to visit website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.