Rene Margaret (Fisher) Robinson

Rene Robinson

With both deep sadness and joy, we announce the passing of Rene Robinson (nee Fisher) on August 6, 2023. We will dearly miss our matriarch and guiding light, and we rejoice knowing she is reunited with loved ones that have passed before her, especially her beloved Bryan. We have no doubt that the two of them they are lighting up the sky with endless joy and a loving embrace.

Rene was born in Liverpool, England in 1937 and emigrated at the age of two with her parents and sister Joan to Canada, eventually landing in Victoria, BC. Rene’s parents owned a fish and chip store on Burnside Road, where she spent much of her youth helping to tend the busy and popular family business. At a young age, she married our father, Calvin Putnam, who had moved to Victoria from a small farming community in Alberta. As both were keen to have a family, two boys soon followed (Robert and Randall), then a move to Edmonton, followed by the birth of another son (Gordon) and finally, a daughter (Linda).

While raising children, she was active in the local United Church and in leadership and personal development activities, eventually establishing a long career in drug and alcohol counselling. Twenty years after leaving the Island, Rene returned to live in Nanaimo after meeting the love of her life and remarrying. She remained in the Nanaimo area until her death.

Rene and Bryan’s home was filled with celebration, amazing food, life teachings, and endless love. Her devotion to her family, her love of community and her curious mind had her spending time with grandchildren, opening her home to those in need, volunteering her time in community and reading endless books to satisfy her curious mind. She was especially drawn to First Nations teachings, wisdom and cultural practices. In later years, she could often be found sitting in her kitchen chair doing her daily crossword and listening loudly to Bob Marley!

She remained in her beautiful home until the last eight months of her life when, due to dementia, she moved to long-term care. True to character, she retained as much independence as she could while treating those caring for her with kindness and gratitude. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family’s loving touch and words. She died as she lived- with a loving heart and gratitude for a beautiful life, surrounded by those she loved.

There are endless stories of her impact on those who knew and loved her. She was a mentor and role model to many, a treasured friend and a loving mom, nana and ‘big’ nana to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Rene will be dearly missed by her children Robert (Christine), Randall (Sandra), Gordon (Renee), Linda (David), stepchildren Ina (Bob) and David (Gina) and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Please join us in celebrating Rene’s life on Saturday, September 16, 1-4 pm at Beban Social Centre.

If desired, donations can be made to the Bryan Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund for Cooperative Leadership.

Please contact: https://www.theyes.ca/scholarship-program to donate.