Lois Lerch Robinson

Lois Lerch Robinson, 90, died May 20^th, 2022, at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, a continuing care community in St. John’s Florida where she lived since 2006. She lived an extraordinary and uncommon life. She was born June 2^nd, 1931, in Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida to Donald and Elsie Lerch. She was a fourth generation Floridian from a family of citrus pioneers in Pinellas County, while it was still a part of Hillsborough County.

She excelled at school academically and socially. After studying at Maryville College, she graduated from Emory in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was also the recipient of the Silver Bowl award at Emory. This award is the highest honor for nursing students, an achievement both academic as well as all-around leadership and engagement. While still a student, she met Rev. Morrell S. Robinson at her home church, First Methodist Church of Clearwater where they were married on August 26^th, 1952. Having a shared dream of serving as missionaries, she and Morrell with their young son Morrell Steed Robinson, Jr., were assigned to serve in Mayarí, Cuba in 1956 by the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church. She was 25 years old. Two more children, Esther Louise and George Leslie were born there.

As Morrell pastored rural parishes in Oriente Province, Lois ran a medical clinic which emphasized education. They experienced firsthand living under the authoritarian regime of Batista before he fled the country following the Cuban Revolution. It impacted their theology, sense of call and mission for the rest of their lives. After returning to this country in 1960, she continued in the nursing profession until Morrell’s retirement from The United Methodist Church while raising their 3 children. Teaching was her true calling, and she was a serious student of the Bible and dedicated Sunday school teacher for 30 years and continued speaking to many church groups about their Cuba experiences.

She had a love of learning and went back to school and received a M. A. in Counseling Psychology from Stetson University in 1982. In her retirement she served as the President of the Halifax River Audubon Society, teaching many birding classes, and organizing birding trips. A tireless advocate for her children and grandchildren, she loved providing outdoor experiences for her two grandsons, James Robinson (Sarah Parsons) and Matt Robinson (Lauren) from fishing to whitewater rafting. As a trained Lifeguard, she taught all three of her children to swim and hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail when she was in her 50’s.

She was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Elsie and her husband of 67 years, Morrell Steed Robinson. Her survivors include her children, Morrell Steed Robinson Jr, (Jean), Esther Robinson, and George Robinson. In addition to her two grandsons, she is survived by 2 great-grandchildren, her sister, Esther Williams (Don) and many loving nieces and nephews. She was also loved by many “grand-dogs” of the Robinson clan through the years, up to seven at a time.

A Memorial service will be held in the Auditorium at Westminster Woods, 25 State Road 13 St. John’s Florida 32259, on June 17^th, 2022 at 1:30 PM, Chaplain Leslie McCarrick officiating. The family would love to see you and celebrate Lois’ life with you.

Because of Lois’ longstanding belief in the importance of education, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be sent to Westminster Communities Foundation, 25 State Road 13, Jacksonville, FL  32259. Please put ‘In Memory of Lois Robinson’ on the memo line (gifts will be designated for the Team Member Scholarship Fund).

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