Obituary: Mary Jane Robbins

Mary Jane Robbins

Mary Jane Robbins

Mary Jane Robbins, 91, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on June 23, 2018. Jane was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas and Dorothy (Albrecht) McCaffrey. Her father passed when she was 3 months old. She was raised by the only father she knew, Alfred Phillips.

Jane arrived in Prescott, Arizona, in 1934 at the age of 7. She traveled all the way from St. Louis, Missouri, in a rumble seat. She lived and grew up on the grounds of the Whipple Veteran’s Administration. Jane attended St. Joseph’s Academy and later Mount St. Mary’s College in Brentwood, California, before returning to Prescott. It was here, July 4, at the Green Frog on Whiskey Row that she met her husband-to-be, Tommy Robbins, a born and bred Prescottonian.

Jane was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church. She married Tommy in the old Sacred Heart Church on Marina Street in 1948. They celebrated 70 wonderful years together and raised four children in Prescott. Jane was a founding member of the Claret Club at Sacred Heart. She was a Eucharistic Minister, Adoration Minister and daily Mass attendee. She was also chairman of the “Elderly Home Care Program.” She served on the “400 Club” fundraiser for Sacred Heart Catholic School. She also served on the building committee when Sacred Heart moved its to present location in 1969.

Jane was also instrumental in bringing Catholic Charities to Prescott and served on its board for 31 years. She volunteered weekly at St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store since its inception in 1992. Jane was awarded the Jean Bowman Outstanding Volunteer Award in 1993 and the Catholic Woman of the Year in 2005 by the Phoenix Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Besides her church work, Jane was very active in Girl Scouts for 25 years. She was a troop leader for 12 years and Neighborhood Chairman for the Prescott Girls Scouts and Northern Arizona. She was involved in establishing the Prescott Girl Scout Day Camp in Groom Creek.

A Broker/Realtor beginning in 1964, Jane was one of three women Realtors in Prescott at that time. Jane was blessed with a great memory and could give you a rundown on the housing market in Prescott for the past 50 years. Some properties she sold several times. A longtime resident and her love of the town made her an unofficial Prescott historian, often being called by people from the Sharlot Hall Museum with questions regarding the past.

Jane was the heart and soul of her family. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all her nieces and nephews with all her heart. She kept us bonded and all together as a strong family unit. Whatever age you were, she was always interested in you, asking frequently “What’s new?” She never met a stranger and was warm and welcoming to all.

Jane lived her religion faithfully day in and day out. Her prayers were very powerful. Family, friends and others would call upon her to pray for them. Her faith in God was unfailing.

She is preceded in death by her father, Thomas McCaffrey; mother, Dorothy (McCaffrey) Phillips; father, Fred Phillips; sister, Kathleen Jackson; and brother-in-law Paul Jackson.

She is survived by her husband, Tommy Robbins; children, Ginny Collier (Jay); Janet Fernow (Bill); Tom Robbins (Pam); Tim Robbins (Mary Ellen), all of Prescott; 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Bob Phillips (Ann); and multiple nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to our family angels, Mary Ellen Robbins (daughter-in-law) and Megan Sitrin (granddaughter). We are so blessed to have angels like you who gave Jane so much care and love. We would also like to thank Dr. Sam Dowling and Prescott Samaritan Hospice for their care and support.

Due to the construction at Sacred Heart Church, there will be Rosary at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Jane’s Life Mass at 11 a.m., on Friday, July 13, at St. Catherine LaBoure Catholic Church in Chino Valley, 2962 N. Highway 89, 86323. There will be a private family internment at the Prescott National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Jane’s name be made to Catholic Charities Community Services Prescott, 434 W. Gurley St., 86301; or to St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, 435 Fair St., 86305.

Hampton Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Information provided by survivors.


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