Beverly Jane Summers Heath Robbins

GARDINER – Beverly Jane, matriarch to all, passed to a more peaceful place on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Life has lost the greatest caretaker to walk the planet. Heaven has captured her to manage her predeceased flock there.

Beverly Jane’s life began in Quincy, Mass. on Feb. 27, 1930 with parents Russell and Fannie Summers. She was blessed to have wonderful siblings, Bill, David, Ruthie and Susan. To everyone’s delight, sister Ruthie can recall every fond detail of the homestead.

Beverly graduated from Mass Memorial School of Nursing. At that time, she met her first husband, John Heath, at a dance. They wed in 1953 and had one daughter Deborah. After graduating from MIT, John tragically contracted polio and passed away in 1955. With unwavering support from her in-laws, Brooks and Frances Heath, in caring for Deborah, Beverly obtained her BSN from Boston University. During a class at BU, she turned around to Fred Robbins and asked him if he wanted to buy a car. They wed in 1958 and the rest is history. They had three children, Jessica, Ted, and David.

Bev’s primary career was with the State of Maine Division of Licensing and Certification. In the last few months, she commented that ironically, she was a resident of a facility that she used to inspect. While working full-time, she managed to provide nightly dinners for her children who were summoned by the cowbell to come partake.

In 1981, her life changed significantly with the death of Ted from colon cancer when he was 20. She summoned her strength and with her resilience, she continued on for the rest of the family. Being an advocate, she navigated the daily existence for Jess and her family.

Bev’s Finnish heritage was important to her, and she enjoyed spending time with the Finnish Society in Bethel. She learned to play the kantele and participated in many concerts with the group. At Christ Episcopal Church in Gardiner, she found her second family. Through her dedication to the Church, she made many lifelong friends.

She had many fond memories of travels that consisted of a solo journey to Finland to meet relatives; to England with Deb and Sue and to Italy with dear friends, Brenda, and David Houdlette.

Elegant, poised and dignified, Bev was a beauty at any event. She made her own legacy as an incredible advocate who would go to the ends of the Earth to ensure your success.

Beverly was predeceased by her first husband, John Heath, and second husband, Fred Robbins; sons Ted Robbins and David Robbins. She is survived by her brother David (Leila), sisters Susan and Ruthie; daughters Deborah Heath and Jessica Robbins; grandsons Chris Robbins and Matthew Robbins; great- grandson Aiden Robbins; and many loving nieces and nephews. We must not forget Fletcher, the beloved golden retriever.

She embodied “Sisu” – Finnish for stoic determination, bravery, and resilience. Love forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 2 Dresden Avenue, Gardiner on Friday, Sept. 9. Visiting hours at the Church will begin at 11 a.m. with services to follow.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers,

donations in her name can be made to:

Hurricane Island Outward Bound School

PO Box 800

Camden, ME 04843 or at

http://www.hiobs.org/ donate as designated “what is needed most” or the scholarship program. Both Ted and David had life-changing experiences during their winter and summer programs.