Robbie Leanne Pawlinsky

December 28, 1966 – November 7, 2011

After a journey of endless courage, lots of heart, dignity and strength, Robbie passed away on November 7, 2011 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC. Robbie lived each day to the
fullest with laughter and a positive outlook. Throughout her life, she made many contributions to trying to make the world a better place. Robbie’s final journey, as her life, demonstrated her deep love and concern for others along with her incredible optimism and belief in a better world.

She leaves to mourn her mother Hetty Pawlinsky; sisters Heather, Maxine (Gord) Zamzow, and Twylla (Andy) McKendry. Also, nephew Craig (Marni); their children Coral and Crystal; nephew Chris (Jen); their children Bryn, Neva and Matthew. She will also be missed by Aunts and Uncles Erna Betcher (Fred), Lil Middleton (Wayne), Wilbert Schoenrath (Karen) and their families; as well as cousin Maureen Pengelly. She was predeceased by her father, Stan, and her grandparents Kate and Henry Schoenrath, and Neva and Nick Pawlinsky.

Robbie was born in Swan River, Manitoba on December 28, 1966 to Stan and Hetty Pawlinsky. Being a small town, she was able to participate in many activities including Girl Guides and Job’s Daughter’s where she held the position of Honoured Queen in the fall of 1982. She was also the Grand Bethel Honoured Queen for Manitoba in 1985-86. She enjoyed her summers at the family’s cottage at Wellman Lake and fishing with Dad. She graduated from SVRSS in 1985. She held several jobs; working at the swimming pool, as a waitress for the Roadrunner Drive-in and Pizza Place, and as a teaching assistant. In 1988 and l989, she attended Parkland College in Dauphin Manitoba where she excelled at Business Administration/Accounting. In 1989 she moved to Victoria and worked for several accounting firms, her final employer being KPMG.

In 1999, she had a grand mal seizure while at work, and this is when her Brain Tumour was first diagnosed. She underwent several surgeries, chemo and radiation treatments in the years that followed, and although she was not able to return to work, she dedicated much of her time and energy in helping others. She joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 2003, and became treasurer for Ruth Chapter #22, she also took on the role of Treasurer for the Victoria Presbytery, and served on several committees at both Garden City and Cadboro Bay United Churches (CBUC). In 2003, she wanted to raise awareness of Brain Tumours, and organized the inaugural Spring Sprint fundraiser in the Victoria area. Robbie also gave back to the community by volunteering at Pebbles gift shop located in the Vancouver Island Cancer Centre. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school and being part of the church family at Cadboro Bay United Church.

Robbie enjoyed watching figure skating and went to several National Figure Skating competitions as a spectator. She cherished the hours spent with her dog Pepper, along with the fun times with Kimmy Bhandal and Joshua Green. She enjoyed chatting with all the people living in the cul-de-sac. She also had a special relationship with her sister Heather, who was her housemate and eventually her primary caregiver. Robbie loved doing crafts, making chocolates, or spending endless hours making cards. She enjoyed cooking and made an awesome cheesecake.

Special thanks to all the people who touched her life over the years especially the people who drove her to appointments in Victoria or Vancouver. The family appreciated the CBUC Angels who helped Robbie with her lunch, along with Mandy Emery’s daily visits. Thanks also to Rev. Green and Rev. White, who were both so caring and a real inspiration when she needed her faith the most. The family would also like to thank her doctors for their care over the years: Dr. Keith McQueen, Dr. Gregory Cairncross, Dr. Ramesh Shajpaul, Dr. John Paul McGhie, Dr. Wayne Shtybel, and all the wonderful staff and volunteers on the 8th floor South in the Royal Jubilee Hospital Patient Care Centre.

A celebration of Robbie’s life will be officiated by Rev. Mark Green, Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Road in Victoria on November 18 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Robbie’s memory to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada (for research) 620 Colborne Street, Suite 301, London ON, N6B 3R9 (www.braintumour.ca), or to raise funds for the lighting/signage project at Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Road, Victoria BC V8N 1W4 (http://main.cadbayuc.org).

Interment will take place in the family plot at the Birchwood Cemetery in Swan River at a later date. Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mccallbros.com.