Maud Ferris Robinson
April 15, 1922 ~ March 11, 2019
MAUD FERRIS ROBINSON
April 15, 1922 to March 11, 2019
Born and raised in Connecticut, Maud Ferris grew up loving nature and the written word. She served her country and her community selflessly. With her considerable talents for civic involvement, she ensured that the residents of her beloved Town of Vienna could enjoy the natural environment, reading, and public service.
Upon her graduation from Smith College in 1944, she was recruited into the United States Navy (WAVES) and came to Washington, DC, to work as a code analyst. After WWII she moved to Charlottesville to marry her life’s partner, Charles A. Robinson, Jr., in 1947. While Charlie attended UVA’s School of Engineering, Maud attended the Law School for two years.
The Robinsons moved to Vienna, Virginia, in 1951. Over the next seven decades Maud was instrumental in shaping the community that Vienna is today. While Charlie served on Town Council and as Mayor, Maud was the consummate volunteer. As a member of several local civic groups, she led successful efforts to build a public library branch and a Community Center in Town, and worked to preserve Vienna’s history and residential character. After Charlie died in 2000, Maud served on Vienna’s Town Council in her own right for nine years. She initiated and championed the creation of a special zoning designation for undeveloped parkland, to preserve natural areas for public enjoyment. She considered its adoption one of her signature achievements.
After her retirement from Town Council, Maud gradually withdrew from public involvement. While she avidly followed Town affairs, she eschewed efforts to celebrate her contributions to Vienna. Following her wishes, burial will be private. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the UVA School of Engineering Foundation. Services were private.
April 15, 1922 to March 11, 2019
Born and raised in Connecticut, Maud Ferris grew up loving nature and the written word. She served her country and her community selflessly. With her considerable talents for civic involvement, she ensured that the residents of her beloved Town of Vienna could enjoy the natural environment, reading, and public service.
Upon her graduation from Smith College in 1944, she was recruited into the United States Navy (WAVES) and came to Washington, DC, to work as a code analyst. After WWII she moved to Charlottesville to marry her life’s partner, Charles A. Robinson, Jr., in 1947. While Charlie attended UVA’s School of Engineering, Maud attended the Law School for two years.
The Robinsons moved to Vienna, Virginia, in 1951. Over the next seven decades Maud was instrumental in shaping the community that Vienna is today. While Charlie served on Town Council and as Mayor, Maud was the consummate volunteer. As a member of several local civic groups, she led successful efforts to build a public library branch and a Community Center in Town, and worked to preserve Vienna’s history and residential character. After Charlie died in 2000, Maud served on Vienna’s Town Council in her own right for nine years. She initiated and championed the creation of a special zoning designation for undeveloped parkland, to preserve natural areas for public enjoyment. She considered its adoption one of her signature achievements.
After her retirement from Town Council, Maud gradually withdrew from public involvement. While she avidly followed Town affairs, she eschewed efforts to celebrate her contributions to Vienna. Following her wishes, burial will be private. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the UVA School of Engineering Foundation. Services were private.
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Charlie and Maud Robinson were both great people who did great things to protect, preserve, and nurture a great town in Vienna, Virginia. I am so sorry to learn of her passing, as she (like Charlie) seemed to be the sort of person who transcends the average and would outlive us all. I was active in the Vienna Volunteer fire Department during the time when they were most vigorously promoting the engagement of the public in their community to maintain its vitality and character, and a volunteer fire department is a great centerpiece for rallying around. Their enthusiasm and dedication to helping the VFD thrive was absolutely appreciated, and the town is a better place because of the firehouse and the opportunities it presents to the townsfolk to get engaged in something deep and meaningful, impactful, and rewarding as a way of giving back to the place we love. Maud continued to work hard to make Vienna a great place to live and raise a family. and my family is better for the opportunity we enjoyed to live in Town as long as we did. We will miss you always, Maud. Please tell Charlie I said hi, and I hope to see you all again when the time is right! – Pete Kirby, former Captain, and former proud resident of the Town Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
The passing of Maud Robinson is a great loss to Vienna and to all who knew her. She was a gracious lady, a wonderful friend, and a true patriot. Maud’s support for good government and her service to Vienna was a blessing we will never forget. Thank you, Maud, for your kind insights on history, heritage, and preservation. May God bless you.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of the decedent.
A candle was lit for the decedent.
Aunt Maud was our family legend, beloved and respected. We are blessed with Aunt Maud’s example of integrity, dedication and service that will live on in our memories. With Love, Mary Brockman and Family
I asked my brother Johnny about Maude just yesterday,and he told me she had passed.We were their neibours,for 40 years,the Sessions family,who lived right across the street from Maude n Charlie.I was sorry to hear of her passing.l inherited the job of feeding their many cats,on the occasion they were out of town,from my brother Johnny.My name is Nancy Sessions.I was age 13,in 1967,when l fed her kitties.Maude was very clear on how when and where to feed her many cats.I was impressed of the neat food bags,all tagged with when to feed them!Wow,it was impressive!I always did my best to feed them,pet them and l felt grown up,as she trusted me with this important job!Our dadOscar Sessions so enjoyed talking to Maude out on the sudewalks,on the weekends,or after work.He was a 25 year Navy Chief and an engineer.They always laughed and talked!l loved their special home and the neat office Charlie had.All the ivy grown all over was nice as well.Maude always wore bright red lipstick,and a little hair clip.Crisp white tops,and a quick military walk!Glad l really knew them both!