Obituary of Helene Bertrand Robinson

Helene Bertrand Robinson , daughter of Jules and Marie (born Jubal) Bertrand, passed away after a long convalescence in Ithaca on October 9, 2023. She was born on December 26, 1926, in Laon, France, growing up in Strasbourg and Versailles and grew up in part during World War II in occupied France, coming to the United States having married Thomas Robinson of Rochester, New York. Mrs. Robinson became a lifelong resident of Rochester, graduating in art education from Nazareth College, after initial design studies in the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in France. She is survived by four children, sons Michael (and wife, Fatima), Phillip (and wife, Elaine) and Daniel (and wife, Becky) daughter, Nanette Robinson-Vine (of Rochester); and she is survived by eight grandchildren, Kemal Robinson, Emily (Robinson) Gerenser, Tim Robinson, Katherine (Robinson) Revere, Laura Robinson, Alexander Vine, Connor Robinson and Eli Robinson and 3 great grandchildren, Isabella, Zoey and Olivia Revere. Mrs. Robinson was active in French-speaking groups, became a docent for the Memorial Art Gallery, was active for several years in the Rochester-Rennes sister cities organization and traveled extensively with and without her husband of 57 years, Thomas, who pre-deceased her in 2004. She helped design her own home on Harwood Lane in East Rochester and provided support and hospitality for several visiting students from France and Turkey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., All Season's Chapel, White Haven Memorial Park, 210 Marsh Road. There will be a greeting of the family prior to the service time. Private entombment at 10:00 a.m.