Celebrating the Life of
Robin Bell
December 6, 1948 — June 16, 2024
Obituary
Robin Bell passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024. She was a wonderful friend and mother; a woman who was endlessly curious, forever reading, traveling, and learning. She was a great dancer, horseback rider, gardener, and an exceptional pianist, although she rarely admitted it. She made friends wherever she went and is survived by two loving daughters, Cleo and Dana, and a community of friends across the country.
There is too much to say about Robin in such a limited space, so we welcome you to submit your own memories and photos of her below. These can be a picture and a caption, a simple memory, or a longer story. Feel free to submit multiple photos and memories!
We look forward to seeing those who can make it in Portland, Maine on July 27th for a gathering to remember her life, to listen to her favorite music, and to say goodbye to a woman we all loved so very much. We will be sharing photos and memories from this memorial page at the event, so those who cannot attend can still participate.
Memories and Condolences
Please share a photo or video, or post a heartfelt condolence to the family.
I have been trying to write a paean for Robin, and feeling overwhelmed with sadness and remembrances of all our shared interests and visits, the joys and vicissitudes of our lives over almost 50 years. I wish age and illness had not caught up with us so-seemingly- suddenly. But I am grateful to have all the memories of our long conversations about dogs and horses, gardening and politics, and of course our children. Robin was immensely proud of her talented girls; I think Cleo and Dana are very lucky to have had her for a mother, and I hope they will always be cognizant of that good fortune as the memories of Robin, and her hopes for them, give them strength throughout their lives. She was a wonderful mother, and a wonderful friend.
Thinking of Robin today and how much she meant to me and so many others. How lucky all of us CHDS kids were to have many loving bonus homes and bonus moms like Robin. I miss her yellow house on East Capitol with her beautiful garden and our many dinners and sleepovers there. Of course, our increasingly elaborate 3C family meals are my favorite memories of all—And it all started with Robin buying too much produce and asking us to use it! It also meant so much to me that she traveled to be at my wedding, and I’m so glad she was able to be at Cleo’s. I cherish those memories. Most of all, I am grateful to Robin for raising Cleo, who is spectacular and who I love more than anything. I am so proud of her, and I know Robin was too. Wishing so badly I could be there in person to celebrate Robin’s life and the two amazing people she brought into the world. Sending so much love to you all.
Aunt Robin 1978
Sanibel Island
Wellfleet
Welcome Cleo!
Birthday celebration December 2023
Welcome Cleo!
Welcome Cleo!
Welcome Cleo!
Welcome Cleo!
Welcome Cleo!
My wedding shower 1985
Aunt Robin in Cambridge 1978
Robin 💛 with us at the Smithsonian and Cleo as a baby
Aunt Robin 💛 in Cambridge 1978
Aunt Robin and Cleo
Aunt Robin 💛 with Bill on the boat in Essex
Aunt Robin with Bill
Robin and Peter. We are still proud to have been cousins.
Right from the start Robin was beautiful and as soon as she could join in she was sweet and ready. We shared some of our childhood and later connected as adults. Still beautiful, still sweet, bright and kind and curious but we all know that. I’m grateful for the time we spent together and I wish that she could have seen herself as I do…. so accomplished and open to all that life offers. My best to all who knew her. Rhona
I remember the wonderful visit to Robin’s house for Cioppino dinner that she made herself, in late summer of 2019. Delicious! Having recently been vegan for 20 years, I had never had anything like it! So special to get to have an amazing meal like that prepared by her, and to get to share the evening with Robin, my mom Ruth, and my aunt Ramey. The reunion of the first cousins in my lifetime has felt like a miracle to me. And meeting my second cousins as a result, equally miraculous. So there with you all in spirit. And sending so much love…❤️
Dears, How I wish I could be with you in person for this. Could there be somewhere for those of us who can’t attend, to be able to attend via zoom? Maybe, I having a laptop set up in the space? I would be delighted to assist with that in whatever way. I know it would be so special for my mom, my aunt Rhona, and myself to be able to take part in that way. We love you all so much. Thank you for being the amazing daughters, sisters, and cousins you are. And for honoring your wonderful mom in such a lovely and special way. XOX! Dara
Her other loves, Carlo and Dill, who were her companions after Ozzie.
Here she is with Ozzie and her horse, Silent Reverie (Rev, for short). Reverie is, if you can believe it, still running around the fields of Maryland at the ripe age of 35!
My mom loved her pets so much. Here she is with Ozzie, the first dog after many years with only cats. He was a spunky miniature long haired dachshund and he loved her so much.
Another photo from the 3C dinner - crazy how young we all looked! I'm glad we all got to share a meal together and I hope our food was as good as I remember it being:) <3 Claudia
This is from one of our epic 3C feasts that we cooked together! I believe this one was French-themed and featured duck a l'orange:) It was so great we were able to get everyone in place at one time including Robin, Dana, my brother Warren and Celia's parents and my parents. I know Robin loved cooking and food so hopefully it was a fond memory for here. <3 Claudia
I only had the honor of meeting Robin a few times. The very first thing that struck me was her warm smile, and the smirk. It was so very clear how much she adored Cleo and Dana. Her entire being shone in these pictures. I would have loved the opportunity to know you in better days, but I’m so glad I had a glimpse into the woman that brought us the gifts of Cleo and Dana.
two very excited vassar alums
We always had a great time at the beach
Ramey & Robin at the Highlands
Robin and our dog, Cindy
Robin & Lynda on my lap
Ruthy, Ramey, Robin, Grandma Grossman, Peter
At the house in Portland
Together as kids, 10 & 7
With Peter & me, Green Lake WI
With Ruthie at the Highlands, 2023
With Cleo at the beach - we have a lot of great memories of going to the beach, building sandcastles, playing in the waves. She was very good at packing picnics as well
another from the archives, looking very sharp!
Robin and Dana after planting the garden.
Christmas at Cleo & Jeff’s 2023
Mama and Sophie at Governor King
Mama, I will miss being your neighbor and dropping in to visit you. I took this photo because of how beautiful you looked in your turquoise sweater. So many of my memories are of you at this time, and I will treasure them.
Young Robin with a signature smirk - Cleo and I both frequently make the same face in photos.
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