Alma Clara Robinson

Alma Clara Robinson, 87, passed away peacefully May 2 at Queen of the Valley Hospital, Napa after a long illness. Alma was born in San Francisco and grew up living in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. As a child she contracted both rheumatic fever and polio and spent much of her teen years dealing with a difficult recovery that would ultimately impact the rest of her life. A very determined and strong willed woman, Alma beat her illnesses to become an FBI counterfeit expert in the 1940’s. In this position, she flew regularly between Los Angeles and San Francisco to work cases and testify in Federal court as an expert witness. In 1947 Alma left the FBI to marry Gordon Lloyd Robinson and settle down in Redwood City California. The FBI was not happy but outside opinions never worried Alma when she had made up her mind. In her new life as a loving, dedicated wife, mother and dog person Alma still wasn’t going to confine her contributions to the home. Deeply faithful and religious she, along with her husband, became extremely active in the Episcopal Church. Over the decades she assumed many responsibilities with the church including President of the Women of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and President of the Women of the Episcopal Dioceses of California. Additionally, in the 1970’s Alma and her husband were benefactors and served on the board of the Good Samaritan Mission in San Francisco, a Native American and Latin immigrant special ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of California. In 1988, as the long term affects of Alma’s childhood illnesses began to wear on her overall health, she and her husband retired to Napa and joined St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. In this next stage of her life, Alma joined a Post Polio support group and worked hard in therapy to try to slow the affects of the deteriorating conditions Polio survivors must deal with in later life. Alma was widowed in 2000. Alma is survived by her loving son, Gordon Earl Robinson. Alma loved all animals (except maybe snakes) and would appreciate contributions to any animal rescue organization or shelter of your choice, in lieu of flowers. Burial service is at Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto Thursday, May 9 at 1 pm with Reverend Vern Jones. A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Napa Friday, May 10 at 11am with Reverend Canon Stephen M. Carpenter.

Alma Clara Robinson

March 8, 1926 - May 2, 2013

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Alma Clara Robinson

March 8, 1926 - May 2, 2013

Obituary Notification

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