Shirley Trayser Robbins

January 19, 1925 — May 15, 2024

Madison

Shirley Robbins, 99, died on May 15, 2024 at her home in Madison, Wis.

She was born in Madison on Jan. 19, 1925, first of 4 children, to Gladys Greene Trayser and Anthony Chester Trayser. She grew up in Madison and attended the University of Wisconsin where she earned an undergraduate degree in psychology. In 1946 she married Samuel D. Robbins , who was soon afterward ordained as a minister in the Congregational Church (later UCC), and over the years they served churches together in Neillsville, Mazomanie, Adams/Friendship, Roberts/Hammond, and Medford/Dorchester, Wis. For a time they lived in Cadott, Wis. where Sam was high school guidance counselor. They raised 4 children who are so grateful for the role models and support Shirley and Sam were to them throughout their lives.

Shirley delighted in and was proud of her children and their spouses, her 2 granddaughters, and her 6 great-grandchildren. She dearly loved and appreciated her immediate and extended families, including a branch in Mexico.

Shirley became deeply involved in the communities she lived in, working for West CAP (West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency) and agencies assisting victims of domestic abuse.

When Shirley and Sam returned to Madison upon his retirement from the ministry, they moved back into the house she grew up in. They joined the Memorial United Church of Christ as it moved from Madison to Fitchburg, and immersed themselves in the life and work of their church. Shirley was especially active in the church’s music ministries (choir and bell choir) and its social justice activities, and was a beloved member of her church community.

She was active in the wider church community as well, serving for some years as president of the Madison unit of Church Women United (an ecumenical national organization of women working on economic justice, health care, and environmental issues).

Shirley loved gardening, her cats, puttering around the house, Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS, and her family home. She liked to get out into the world, too; she went with Sam on several Elderhostel trips, took river cruises with family, went on independent trips to England with her daughter, and spent many summer vacations at the family cabin in New Hampshire.

In response to the question of how she would like to be remembered, she wrote: "She led a good ever-expanding life, lived peaceably and kindly, and tried to make her corner of the world better.”

Well done, Shirley.

Shirley joins Sam in the next phase of their lives, as well as her daughter-in-law LuzMa. Her children and their families remember her with great love and gratitude (Dave and Sue (with Michelle and Nicole, Caelum, Gabe, Trevor, Lucas, Evie, and Logan), Dan (with almost-granddaughter Lala), Rick and Teresa, and Betsy).

There will be a memorial service at 2 pm on Saturday, June 29th at Memorial United Church of Christ, 5705 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg, Wis.

To honor Shirley, do as she did. Be kind. Work for social justice.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Trayser Robbins, please visit our flower store.

Send a Card

Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Gathering

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Memorial United Church of Christ

5705 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53711

Get Directions Plant Trees