Obituary of Veronica Marie Robbie

Veronica Marie Robbie, 99, formerly of International Falls, died at Diamond Willow on the Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, 2017. She was born on June 8, 1917, to Clyde and Margaret Barry in Sisseton, S.D., the third of four siblings. She married Francis Robbie on July 19, 1939, and they celebrated 56 years of marriage until his death in 1995. Her life could be defined by hard work, commitment to family and hospitality. She worked for JC Penney, the Federated Store and was Manager of the International Motor Lodge for 25 years. She treasured her Catholic faith and membership at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and worked at funeral luncheon's well into her 90s. She was an honorary lifetime member of Catholic Daughter's of America and the American Legion Auxiliary. While she never owned a house, she always created a home for her family, friends and strangers. Hospitality was her greatest gift whether she was offering her hand to hold, her shoulder to cry on, her ear to listen, or a place at her table. She thoroughly loved card games, especially bridge and was an avid reader. One of her greatest joys was judging essays written by Falls High School students for 15 years with the support of Darrell Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Margaret Barry; her siblings, Prescott Barry, Marguerite McAdaragh and Verda Amatuzio; and her husband, Francis (Bus) Robbie. During her nearly 100 years, she moved from the plains of South Dakota to the Canadian border to the shores of Lake Superior. She will be greatly missed by her son, Keith (Kathy) Robbie; daughter, Michelle "Shelly" Robbie; grandchildren, Gail (Todd) Genskay, Jennifer (Eric Blommel)) Robbie, Mitchell (Sarah Morrison) Robbie, Daniel Gershgol and Stephanie (Joe) Nixon; great-granddaughter, Izzy Genskay; a great-grandson baby Nixon expected in July; extraordinary friends, Barb Rud and Darrell Schmidt and her faithful Grand dog Miss Clare. We are so grateful to her caregivers at Mount Royal Pines IlI, Diamond Willow and Essentia Health Hospice for their extraordinary love, attention and hands-on care to Veronica and support to her family. MASS OF RESURRECTION: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 in St. Thomas Catholic Church in International Falls. Memorials are preferred to Saint Thomas Catholic School, International Falls Minnesota.