Ann Thornton Robinson

Ann Dalamore Thornton was born June 24, 1929, in Portland, Oregon—just four months before the stock market crash to Jack Welland Thornton of Portland and Ruth Green Thornton of Astley, Worcestershire, England. Ann received her education in Portland, Oregon; Edmonton, Alberta; and Chicago, Illinois, where she met her husband, Bruce Alexander Robinson, at Morgan Park High School.

Following her high school graduation, Ann immediately enrolled in secretarial school at Loring School for Girls in Chicago. Midway through her studies, she was invited to join the faculty, teaching typing and shorthand while completing her own coursework. She also taught evening courses at a local business college. Ann later pursued studies at the University of Houston in basic language, computer programming, accounting, statistics, and tax, though the tragic loss of her second child in an aircraft accident interrupted her academic path.

Music filled Ann's life from an early age. At ten years old, she began piano lessons, and though financial constraints ended her formal instruction after a year, she spent countless hours teaching herself to sight-read. Her first sheet music was "God Bless America," shortly after Kate Smith introduced the song to the nation. In high school, Ann accompanied her husband Bruce and his brother David, who both had beautiful voices, as well as the A Cappella choir and the Girls' Glee Club. Music remained a constant presence in her home throughout her life.

Ann and Bruce divorced in 1960, and Ann followed her parents to Jackson, Mississippi, after her father's transfer. There, she began work at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine for Dr. Curtis Artz, a respected burn specialist. In 1964, Ann and Bruce remarried for the sake of their children and moved to Houston, Texas, where she was again fortunate to work for another exceptional physician, Dr. Donald Fernbach in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine. When Ann began there, the staff numbered just four people. Over her remarkable 32-year tenure as administrator, she helped build the department to 150 personnel, managing personnel, monitoring grant funding, and editing manuscripts.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Ann was active in the National Organization for Women, where she formed many lifelong friendships. She and her friend Norma Lee purchased a house in a transitional neighborhood and spent years transforming it into a beautiful home in what became an upscale area close to downtown Houston. The house and gardens were a true labor of love. Together, they removed, reconditioned, and reinstalled forty windows and built a two-car garage with the help of Norma's father. Ann took immense pride in creating this beautiful home.

Drawn by her lifelong passion for camping and the outdoors, Ann embarked on many solo journeys in her small Casita camper, spending peaceful weekends reading, walking her dogs, and tending the fire.

Upon retiring in 1995, Ann trained alongside her dear friend Nancy Kuykendahl to become a Master Gardener through the Texas A&M University program, combining her lifelong love of learning with her passion for nurturing growth.

After Norma's passing, Ann sold the house and embarked on a new adventure with her friend Elyse Peavy, purchasing four acres and a home on the Llano River in the Texas Hill Country. She bought a tractor and immediately set to work developing new gardens, finally realizing her lifelong dream of living in the country. In 2018, when the Llano River crested at 45 feet and came dangerously close to the house, Ann, at 90 years old, moved to Fairview, North Carolina to be with her son David. Her son Paul moved from Colorado to live with her, and with David's encouragement, she immediately set to work in the gardens of her new and final home.

Ann loved and was loved by her friends at Baylor College of Medicine, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the Master Gardeners, and passersby who admired her Houston garden. In Llano, she formed lasting friendships at Grace Episcopal Church, and in North Carolina at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave.

Ann had three sons: David Bruce, Kenneth Edward (deceased), and Paul McIntyre. She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce, her son Kenneth Edward Robinson, and her brothers Jack Welland Thornton and Nicholas Edward Thornton. She is survived by her son David Bruce Robinson and his daughters Danielle Wynne and Amy Robinson; Danielle's children Liam, Preston, and Everett; and her son Paul McIntyre Robinson and his children Kenneth and Kristina.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to all who cared for and loved Ann throughout her remarkable life.