Obituary of Marion Robb

Marion Catherine (Sheehan) Robb, a much beloved wife, mother,
grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt, passed away
peacefully on Monday, December 23, 2024 at the age of 92.
Marion is survived by her five children, and their spouses and
partners; Marianne Robb and Steve Walsh, William Jr. and
Christine Robb, Stephen Robb and Kathleen Riopel, Peter and
Marianne Robb, Andrew Robb and Teresa Lee; her 14 cherished
grandchildren, Charlotte (Kyle Fry), Peter (Dallas Bridwell), Dylan
Walsh (Leidys Gutierrez), Ciaran Walsh, Hana (Michael Ciccone),
Ursula, Gunnar, Willie, Liam Walsh, Miles, Owen, Cameron,
Katherine, and Henry Robb; two great granddaughters, Lillian Fry
and Sutton Bridwell; and countless nieces and nephews. Marion
was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill, and her older
siblings Margaret Connelly, Helen Matthews, Josephine Barry and
Martin Sheehan, as well as her son Paul Damien Robb.
Marion was born April 28, 1932, the youngest child of Martin and
Mary (Dore) Sheehan, immigrants from County Limerick, Ireland.
She lived with her family in the Bronx, and attended Blessed
Sacrament School and Mt. St. Ursula Academy. In 1954, Marion
graduated from Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing, and in
1984, she graduated cum laude from Iona College with a BA in
Public Health.
Marion met her true love of over 65 years, her husband Bill, at a
dance in Rockaway Queens in 1954. They were engaged at
Christmas, and married on April 16, 1955. They spent their early
years together in the Bronx where their five children were born,
then moved to Larchmont in 1968 where they became active
members of the community for over 50 years, including at St.

Augustine Church. Marion was a woman of faith who regularly
attended Sunday and weekday mass, and was an active
Eucharistic Minister.
Volunteer service was a big part of Marion’s life. She donated
endless hours to countless efforts aimed at sustaining and/or
improving the functions of her parish, the schools, and the
community at large. Whether initiating local efforts to install curb
cuts on local streets to improve access for the disabled, or
providing meals for homeless individuals at Mother Hale House,
she always stepped up.
Marion was a lifelong accomplished athlete, beginning in high
school where she played basketball and ran track.  As an adult,
she spent many happy hours playing tennis, paddle tennis, golf,
and skiing – all kinds!  She especially enjoyed those activities
because they combined her love of spending time with family and
friends, with being outdoors.
Marion’s active lifestyle typically included a “more, the merrier”
approach.  From her early days as a camp counselor in NYC, she
embraced all that her surroundings had to offer.  Later, she would
round up her children, and quite often, various nieces and nephews,
for outings to the beach, ice-skating, the Bronx Zoo, and the
Museum of Natural History. She continued this tradition with her
grandchildren, who always looked forward to spending time with
their beloved “Beema;” time they will always cherish, and
experiences they will always carry with them.
Marion’s decision to attend nursing school was just the beginning of
her lifetime dedication to improving lives through healthcare.  After
graduating in 1954, she worked as a nurse at a NYC hospital, and

then occasional temporary shifts as a private duty nurse while
attending to her growing family. When her children got a bit older,
she worked as a substitute school nurse in the Mamaroneck School
system, and then part-time for the Cornell Medical School Public
Health Hypertension Control Program. Working as a Research
Nurse in this study allowed Marion to do what she loved best –
engage with patients – while expanding her healthcare chops. She
received many accolades for her work, and was a named
contributor to an article published about the study in the journal of
Occupational Health Nursing. 
During her tenure at Cornell, she also attended night classes at Iona
College. After obtaining her degree, Marion worked for several
years at the New York State Health Department, advancing a
Healthy Heart initiative. Her work afforded her the opportunity to
share information and incentives with various community members,
including many underserved populations throughout NYC, about
ways to improve lifestyles, and ultimately health outcomes.
Once retired, Marion continued her involvement in improving
healthcare systems by becoming a certified Ombudsman in a
program sponsored by the New York State Office for the Aging.
She also continued her participation, for over 15 years, in a study
sponsored by the Women’s Health Initiative about women’s health
as they age.
Most of Marion’s post-retirement activities however, focused on
spending time with family, friends, and travel. Together with Bill,
she traveled extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and
the Caribbean, often making new friends along the way. Marion
also loved spending time at the beach, including the many years
she and Bill spent with friends in Siesta Key, FL. 

Marion will always be loved and remembered for her fierce love
and loyalty to family and friends, her commitment to faith and
social issues, and her indomitable spirit. She will be greatly
missed, and not soon forgotten.
Visitation will be held from 4 pm – 8 pm Friday, January 10 th at
Fox Funeral Home, 2080 Boston Post Road, Larchmont, NY. A
mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, January 11 th at
11 am at St. Augustine’s Church, 18 Cherry St., Larchmont, NY.
Interment will be on Monday, January 13 th at 12:15 pm at St.
Raymond’s Cemetery in The Bronx.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marion’s memory
to the Parkinson’s Foundation @ Parkinson.org.

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