It is with deep regret that we announce Robin’s sudden passing on February 26, 2026 at the age of 65. Robin was born in Vancouver, B.C. on December 30, 1960 to the late Janice (Lawrence) and Donald Deveau.

Robin joined our immediate and extended family, as family-of-our-heart, in 1979 with the blessing of her parents.

She had a pure and loving spirit that touched the lives of everyone she came into contact with. Robin’s joy, laughter and sense of optimism was infectious. She was a woman that chose her own path on all things that pertained to her and, consistent with her assertive nature, she was quick to offer her thoughts on the particular path of others!

Robin graduated from QE High School in Halifax in 1981. Later that year she began her career at Prescott Group where she began, as most of us do, to pursue a path toward labour market attachment. Robin worked in the prep section of Prescott’s commercial production kitchen where she prepared ingredients for the next step in the production of commercial baked goods and attended to all aspects of kitchen clean-up and organization. She was also responsible for setting up and attending to the station and that sold hot drinks, baked goods, meals and desserts to employees over the break and lunch periods. While Robin had the opportunity to work in numerous contract areas at Prescott over the course of her career her work in the kitchen was by far her favourite. Robin worked at Prescott until November of 2024, marking forty-three years of service.

Robin lived every day to the fullest and had a wide array of interests. She enjoyed camping every summer at various campgrounds in Nova Scotia with Tony and Shirley for more than thirty years. She was a seasoned fan of games of horseshoe and washer-toss. She could always be counted on to show up, with her folding chair in tow, to loudly cheer and clap for the winners and sympathetically chime in on the sounds of defeat made by the team that lost.

Robin was quite an accomplished swimmer and was in the pool every day that weather allowed. She knew the majority of the seasonal campers and would frequently just “drop in” to say hello or check out what everyone was up to. Robin took particular delight in watching the antics of the children at play and, when in the company of younger children in the family, she kept a sharp eye out for their safety, re-directing and steering their course away from any perceived harm. As a child, Erin was often the subject of Robin’s instinctive and protective nature and we had every confidence that Erin was in good hands with Robin at her “post”. Following the busy days of camping life Robin looked forward to the serenity of evenings around the campfire and eating toasted marshmallows while she listened to people playing guitars; often long into the night.

Our family looked forward to our annual summer vacation in New Hampshire with great anticipation – but none of us more than Robin. The presence of our suitcases heralded the time was nearing and thus began Robin's “surveillance” of Ron’s whereabouts; hovering around the window that looks out on the driveway whenever he would leave the property. Then would come the day that Ron returned with the rental van for our trip. No matter where you were located when he drove in with the van, including a neighbouring property, Robin could be heard laughing uncontrollably, actually shrieking, and calling out for all to hear “the bus is coming”!!!!

Robin also loved to dance and had ample opportunity to do so every Saturday night at the local Legion (back in the day) and at the endless wedding, anniversary and holiday parties and the many kitchen parties that were so much a part of life in our big family over the years. Robin would be the first one on the dance floor and the last one dancing at the end of the night. If a particular song played on the radio or television that struck her fancy she would take Ron’s hand and have him dance her around the kitchen.

Robin did live every moment to the fullest. She brought such joy to our family life and to the lives of others who had the good fortune to come to know her. Robin lived and thrived in a wide circle of regard and love, consistent with that which she extended to all of us. We are all better people because of her. We will profoundly miss her presence but will take comfort in the abundant memories and legendary “Robin” stories that she has left with us for all time.

Robin is deeply mourned by her family-of-the-heart Donna Pettipas; Erin (Pettipas) and Justin Sanford and children Cameron and Logan; Shirley Sampson; Stephen Sampson and Kendrick Trask; Darlene Loke and Hank Huizinga and the extended Sampson, Pettipas, Sanford and Mitchell families and friends. Robin was predeceased by Robert Sampson, Ron Pettipas and Tony Sampson.

Robin is survived by her brother, Anthony (Sharon) Deveau and family and loving sister, Karen (Ron) Hickey and family.

Cremation has taken place under the care of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists. Interment will take place at a later date. Words of comfort and pictures would be welcomed. Please visit Robin’s Tribute page on our website at www.tjtracey.com.

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of Arborstone Home for Special Care for the exceptional kindnesses and genuine interest that they consistently demonstrated toward Robin over the ten months that she resided there.

Donations in Robin’s memory may be made to St. James United Church. By mail: 23 Lakewood Dr., Brookside N.S. B3T 1S5 Att: Thomas Moffat, Treasurer or by e-transfer: twmoffat@ns.sympatico.ca

“Something beautiful passed this way”