IN MEMORIAM: Bonnie K. Robinson, 69;

Despite Her Illness, Led OHS ’64 Reunion

ONEONTA — Bonnie K. Robinson, 69, the 1964 OHS graduate who was the leader in organizing her class’s 50^th reunion, passed away with her children at her side, on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Fox Hospital.   A celebration of her life is planned at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at SUNY Oneonta’s Hunt Union.

Bonnie was born on June 26, 1946, in Oneonta, the daughter of the late Harry and Annabelle “Chris” Sinstack.

During her 51 years after graduating high school, Bonnie dedicated herself to her career at SUNY Oneonta. Bonnie’s service to the college spanned nearly four decades. She joined the Organization of Ancillary Services (now Oneonta Auxiliary Services) in 1976 after learning the ropes from her own mother in the switchboard room.

After retiring from OAS in 2007, she began to work as the Student Association’s secretary. It was here that she found her second family, her SA students. She spent her days working alongside them not only as a secretary but often as a mentor, counselor, second mother and best friend. Bonnie never did retire from the Student Association, as one of her students stated, “It is not surprising that Bonnie would leave the world before she would ever leave her students.”

Thank you to all of the students that Bonnie had a chance to love (especially her Phi Kappa Psi boys), you brought so much joy to her life and are what kept her going many days. Also, thank you to her boss, Bill Harcleroad, and all of the staff at SUNY Oneonta for being so good to her.

Along with her work family, Bonnie had many very special friends who she spent much of her time enjoying. Every Friday night Bonnie could be found playing cards with her friends, Frank, Cheryl and Evelyn. She also made sure she kept herself busy with weekly lunch and movie dates to catch up with everyone she had a chance to. She often spent her time in recent years connecting with old friends over games of Scrabble on the computer. Genuine, caring and loyal are how her friends and family will always remember her.

For anyone who knew Bonnie, they knew being a mother and more recently a “Nana” were her greatest accomplishments in life. As a mother, Bonnie was the parent who became a second mom to her children’s friends. She was the mother who always stepped up to coach a sporting team or chauffer her sons and friends to wherever they needed to be. As a Nana, she enjoyed spending her time watching her grandsons grow without ever missing an event (even if it was via video chat) and of course she spoiled them every chance she got. Bonnie’s nature was to help, love and nurture and she did just that right until the very end. For that, we are forever grateful.

The family sends a very special thank you to all of the staff at A.O. Fox Hospital. The love and care they provided for Bonnie over the years, right up until her very last moments, is greatly appreciated.

Bonnie is survived by her two sons, James Sinstack (Johnna Nesteruk) of Oneonta, Richard (Amanda) Robinson of Sidney; two grandsons, Aiden and Bryce Robinson; brother, David (Grace) Sinstack of West Oneonta; two nephews, Jeffrey Sinstack of Morris and Eric Sinstack of West Oneonta; great-niece and -nephew, Kendra Barnes and Ethan Sinstack; aunts, Lois Judd and Lynn Sinstack of Oneonta; cousins, JoDee (Paul) Kogut of Hamilton, Gary (Penny) Sinstack of Oneonta, Stephen (Vickie) Judd of Oneonta and Fay (C. Alan) West of Troy; many very special lifelong friends.

Bonnie was cremated and there will be no formal funeral, per her wishes. Bonnie’s family along with the Oneonta State Student Association invite all to honor her life with them at 2 p.m., Sept. 7, in the Hunt College Union at SUNY Oneonta. The family feels it is only fitting to celebrate her life in the place she was never ready to leave, as we know her legacy will forever live on at Oneonta State College.

Condolences to the family may be sent to her son, Richard Robinson at 14 Sunset Avenue, Sidney, NY 13838.