Gladys Robison

Gladys Decker Robison Obituary

Gladys Decker Robison returned peacefully to the loving arms of our Heavenly Father at age 85, on July 9, 2020.

Gladys was born February 25, 1935 to Jesse Nathaniel and Bessie Burnham Decker in Mesa, Arizona. She was the third of six children. Growing up in Snowflake, Arizona she learned hard work, thrift and a love for music and genealogy. After graduating as Valedictorian from Snowflake High School, she went to Brigham Young University to study to be a teacher. After her first year of school she took a break to work at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City. She later returned to BYU where her roommates introduced her to her sweetheart, Alison Robison. He became the love of her life and their devotion to each other is one of their most beautiful legacies.

Gladys married Alison in the Salt Lake Temple on November 2, 1956, and they made their home in Fillmore, Utah. Her dream was to be a mother of 12 children and she almost reached it. She had 9 children and was always there to support them in sports, scouts, and other activities. Family was of utmost importance to Gladys. She devoted countless hours to researching and connecting family lines. As each in-law and new child entered her family, she lovingly added them to her family line.

Gladys was a remarkable wife and mother, caring for her large family in big and small ways. However, she also reached out to bless the lives of other children. She taught piano lessons for nearly 40 years, sometimes for free. When her own children were all in school, she returned to education working with students who struggled. Many students would never have made it to graduation without her. She loved these students and they loved her.

Anyone who knew Gladys knew her love for growing things. For 18 years she and her family cared for the Fillmore City Cemetery where she carefully nurtured the pines, watering them by hand so they would become the sentinels we have today. Every year she grew a large vegetable garden and maintained a beautiful yard. She was a woman with vision for possibility in small things. She regularly planted peach pits and raised the small trees until they were big enough to share with friends and neighbors. You can find her trees all over Fillmore, still bearing the fruit of her vision and kindness year after year.

Music was a great joy in her life. She loved to sing in choirs and small groups. She played the piano and used this gift to bless the lives of others. She sang to her children and made sure their home was full of music. Even when she lost the ability to play the piano and sing, she still loved listening to beautiful music.

Gladys loved the gospel of Jesus Christ. She taught it to her children in word and deed. She loved to serve and cherished being a visiting teacher. She served in the Young Women’s and Primary organizations, as well as playing the organ for the Relief Society. She was happy to serve in any way, but she especially enjoyed her 20 year stint as Ward Librarian and working as a Family History Consultant.

She is survived by her children Natalie Wade, Maria (Steven) Till, Kenneth (Brenda) Robison, Sylvia (Gary) Green, Harold (Kimberli) Robison, Glen (Xanthi) Robison; Clark (Re’gan) Robison, Mark (Hilary) Robison, 30 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and sister, Flora Donaldson.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Jesse and Bessie Decker, husband: Alison Robison, brothers: Calvin Decker, Rey Decker, Laurel Decker, Victor Decker son: Raymond Robison and granddaughter: Mallory Robison. Gladys will be greatly missed by those who loved her. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her patience in suffering, and her boundless gratitude for the little things. She loved deeply and she is deeply loved.

Her family would like to give special thanks to her nurses and aides: the staff of Elk Ridge Assisted Living Center, Shauna Nelson, Jacqui Barney, Kristi Penney, Alexis Taylor, and Connie Lancaster. They would also like to thank the Fillmore 1st Ward Relief Society, Charlie Brown and Doug Jenkins. They not only gave their time and expertise, but they generously gave their love and friendship.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Fillmore 1st and 4th Ward Chapel.  The viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.  Masks are encouraged.  Interment will be at the Fillmore City Cemetery under the care of Olpin Stevens Funeral Home.  Online condolences can be offered at  www.olpinstevensfuneralhome.com also the link to the funeral live stream will be posted there and the funeral home Facebook page 30 minutes prior to the funeral.