Obituary for Penelope "Penny" Robie (Sandison)
Penelope Sandison Robie – 83, beloved parent, friend, and schoolteacher, a resident of Waterbury for 57 years passed away in the comfort of her family at her home in Bend, Oregon Tuesday, October 5. Born in East Montpelier December 31, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Bertice (Peck) Sandison and a resident of Barre for 22 years. On May 21, 1960, she married William D. Robie in Barre. Penny graduated from Spaulding High School in 1955.
Following high school Penny went to work for National Life Insurance Company in Montpelier and then the State of Vermont. After their wedding Penny and Bill moved to Waterbury to start a family. In 1970 she became a working mother when she began working for Waterbury Elementary School as a teacher’s assistant. In 1972, she began work toward her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Vermont. Working full-time and taking one class at a time she earned her Bachelor’s degree from UVM in 1982. In 2005 Penny retired after 35 years teaching kindergarten in Waterbury.
Penny’s memberships included the Waterbury Congregational Church and the Blush Hill Country Club. Penny enjoyed playing golf and socializing with her friends, neighbors, and fellow teachers. She also looked forward to Halloween each year when many of her former students would stop by to trick or treat at Mrs. Robie’s house. For many years Penny and Bill enjoyed taking cruises in the Caribbean. Following her retirement, they enjoyed traveling to England and Scotland, and the Mediterranean. In 2008, Penny traveled on her own to Bangkok, Thailand to be with her son Michael and his wife following the birth of her first grandchild.
After her husband’s death in 2016 Penny sold their house and left their beloved Randall Street and moved to Bend, Oregon to be closer to her sons. For the last five years of her life she resided at Touchmark, a senior living community, where she made many friends and was quite active. Penny also enjoyed spending time with her family in Oregon and California and attending her grandsons’ activities, which included orchestra concerts, football games, basketball games, and the annual Christmas tree harvesting party.
Penny was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Bill, in 2016. She is loved and mourned by their sons, William S. Robie and his wife Kryste of Bend OR, Michael E. Robie and his wife Fai of Stevenson Ranch CA; 5 grandchildren, William and James Adams, and Daniel, Christopher and Emily Robie; her brother Malcolm, her brother-in-law Frank Sancibrian, her brother-in-law Ronald Robie and his wife Sherry of Las Vegas, NV as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Penny was predeceased by her sister Margaret (Tucky) Sancibrian.
For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Central Vermont Humane Society, https://centralvermonthumane.org/, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT, 05601.
The family will hold a celebration of Penny’s life in the spring of 2022 in Waterbury. Details will be published at a later date.
Following high school Penny went to work for National Life Insurance Company in Montpelier and then the State of Vermont. After their wedding Penny and Bill moved to Waterbury to start a family. In 1970 she became a working mother when she began working for Waterbury Elementary School as a teacher’s assistant. In 1972, she began work toward her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Vermont. Working full-time and taking one class at a time she earned her Bachelor’s degree from UVM in 1982. In 2005 Penny retired after 35 years teaching kindergarten in Waterbury.
Penny’s memberships included the Waterbury Congregational Church and the Blush Hill Country Club. Penny enjoyed playing golf and socializing with her friends, neighbors, and fellow teachers. She also looked forward to Halloween each year when many of her former students would stop by to trick or treat at Mrs. Robie’s house. For many years Penny and Bill enjoyed taking cruises in the Caribbean. Following her retirement, they enjoyed traveling to England and Scotland, and the Mediterranean. In 2008, Penny traveled on her own to Bangkok, Thailand to be with her son Michael and his wife following the birth of her first grandchild.
After her husband’s death in 2016 Penny sold their house and left their beloved Randall Street and moved to Bend, Oregon to be closer to her sons. For the last five years of her life she resided at Touchmark, a senior living community, where she made many friends and was quite active. Penny also enjoyed spending time with her family in Oregon and California and attending her grandsons’ activities, which included orchestra concerts, football games, basketball games, and the annual Christmas tree harvesting party.
Penny was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Bill, in 2016. She is loved and mourned by their sons, William S. Robie and his wife Kryste of Bend OR, Michael E. Robie and his wife Fai of Stevenson Ranch CA; 5 grandchildren, William and James Adams, and Daniel, Christopher and Emily Robie; her brother Malcolm, her brother-in-law Frank Sancibrian, her brother-in-law Ronald Robie and his wife Sherry of Las Vegas, NV as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Penny was predeceased by her sister Margaret (Tucky) Sancibrian.
For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Central Vermont Humane Society, https://centralvermonthumane.org/, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT, 05601.
The family will hold a celebration of Penny’s life in the spring of 2022 in Waterbury. Details will be published at a later date.