Marriage to Richard Robinson 1957-1993

On Mother’s Day 1957, I got back together with Richard Lee Robinson, a man I had previously dated after WWII. We met at Church. We got married on August 17, 1957 at the First Baptist Church, Vincennes, Indiana. Mom cannot recall who stood up with them. They honeymooned the first night at Indiana Beach and then in Rochester, Indiana.

Their first address was 532 South Central Court, Indianapolis, Indiana. In ______ they moved to ______ Apollo Way, Indianapolis, Indiana. Their first son, Marc Alan Robinson, was born at Coleman Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 29, 1959. He weighed 6lb. 6oz., and was 21” long. Long and skinny, and he sucked milk so hard it would make my nipples bleed (direct quote).

Another child would join the family on January 18, 1962. Her name was Mavis Ann Robinson, and she was born at St. Vincent hospital. She weighed 6lb. 3oz.

Gretchen recalls receiving flowers from Dick, after each child was born.

Richard worked at the Chevrolet Bus and Truck plant for 28 years, until he retired in 1981, at the age of 56. He was a Traffic Analyst when he retired. Mom did many odd jobs for years. She sewed for people, ironed clothes, etc.

When Mavis was four years old, they moved to 5461 West 71st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. They remained in that home until the Spring of 1990, when they moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

During this time Gretchen worked at Habig’s Flower Shop and O’Malia’s Fireplace Shop. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was in the Kappa Kappa Sigma sorority, involved in much Church work at Traders Point Christian Church…and heavily used her gift of hospitality.


On July 4th, 1993, Gretchen would lose her second husband to Lung Cancer.