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Marty’s Memories: Joan Robinson by Marty Trower

Trying to imagine July on Chebeague without Joan Robinson in our midst is difficult. There will be lots of people around and a lot going on, but Joan’s appearance at and involvement in all of it will be missed. Sally Capps Tubbesing, Barbara Hamilton, and Althea Dugliss will not be with us either; their absence in our vibrant and complicated life on the island is so noticeable, it hurts. Joan was, to me, always, Chebeague. In my childhood, summers, she was the Toohey family’s babysitter and, since they were our best friends, we all spent time a lot of time together on Hamilton beach.When I got to know her as an adult, Joan often commented on her memory of that time, which was simply our tiny, doll- sized wet bathing suits all lined up, dripping on the clothesline. I remember only that Joan had a boyfriend, a handsome man named Bud, and that was the first time I became aware that girls and boys dated and sometimes became husband and wife. Joan was present everywhere in the community; always walking or biking or driving “shut-ins” around the island; she didn’t miss an event, and she participated in all of it. She sang in church and with the Whalers, she “acted” in plays (remember her as the back end of a horse?), she knit for the Ladies Aid, and she always brought her orange ambrosia salad to all public eating venues. When my mother was sick and could no longer make meals for my father, Joan came and cooked noontime meals for them.When

the visiting nurse sat us down that day to tell us that my mother would not be with us much longer, Joan was with my father and I on the couch. I leaned over and took my father’s hand. Joan, on the other side of me, in turn took my other hand and squeezed it. How can you forget a moment like that? When I moved to the island full time, Joan and I worked together at the golf club as clubhouse attendants. Nothing bonds people together tighter than the agonizing process of reconciling the “books” at the close of a stint at the cash register. Joan could always see the humor in situations. At the pool, traveling in Jordan, speaking at memorial services, Joan chuckled as she related a situation that was “quite comical, really.” I will remember Joan as a strong and always hopeful woman. Before her final illness and her time in rehab facilities and at the Commons, I was in the habit of stopping by while walking my dog and visiting with Joan on her porch in the early morning. One time, she greeted me by saying, “You know, an amazing thing just happened. I heard a crow up in that tree just now. When I looked up at it, I heard it say, ‘Hi, Gram.’ What do you make of that?” I said that I believed her, and I did. As much as Joan enjoyed life with us here, I know she believed and looked forward to being with her adored grandson William again and being surrounded by enduring love. VISIT SCHOOLHOUSE SECONDS THRIFT SHOP OPEN EVERY TUESDAY FROM 9:30 a.m. to noon and 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. There are lots of new and interesting treasures. You can always find just what you need and at a great price at Schoolhouse Seconds!

LOVE YOUR FEET! Beat a path to the Wellness Center for a Special Foot Care Clinic Nail care, foot massage, skin assessment July 30 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Brought to you by the Chebeague Island Council and MaineHealth Call 846-9034 to schedule your free appointment

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JULY 2018 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR