Calling hours will be held at Czelusniak Funeral Home in Northampton from 4-6:00pm on Thursday, March 5. Services will be held at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley at 10:00am on Friday, March 6. The family welcomes and invites anyone that would like to attend.
Dear Williston Northampton Community,
It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the death of former Williston faculty member Cathleen C. Robinson, a devoted teacher, department leader, mentor, and colleague whose nearly three decades at the school left an enduring mark on generations of students and faculty.
Cathleen joined the Williston Northampton faculty in 1974 and served the school until her retirement in 2001. During that time, she taught Spanish, journalism, religion and philosophy, and a wide range of interdisciplinary courses, while also serving as chair of the Language Department for many years. She was a gifted and exacting teacher who believed deeply in the intellectual and moral growth of young people, and who possessed a rare ability to see potential in students before they saw it in themselves. As one of the early female faculty members to teach at Williston following the merger with Northampton School for Girls, Cathleen was a beloved and influential teacher during a period of great institutional change.
Over the course of her career, Cathleen’s influence extended well beyond the classroom. She was the founder and first advisor of the Areté tutoring program, founder of the Writers’ Workshop Series, a faculty advisor to The Willistonian winning national honors, a mentor to new faculty and interns, and she led student trips to Spain, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Colleagues recall her as a trusted counselor, a thoughtful listener, and a faculty member whose wisdom and judgment were deeply valued. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, the Cathleen C. Robinson Scholarship Fund was established at Williston in 2015 to honor her legacy and lifelong commitment to students and their education.
Cathleen is survived by her husband, longtime Williston coach and teacher Ray Brown ’55, and by her stepdaughters, Karen Brown Golding ’81 and Amy Brown ’84. I know that many alumni will remember Cathleen’s intellect, integrity, and steadfast dedication to Williston with great affection and gratitude.
We invite members of the Williston community to share their remembrances on the school’s In Memoriam page, where there is additional information about services for Cathleen. Williston also anticipates hosting a Celebration of Life for Cathleen at Williston’s upcoming Reunion Weekend in early June.
On behalf of the school, I extend my deepest sympathies to her family, friends, colleagues, and to all those whose lives she touched during her time at Williston.
Sincerely,
Bob
Robert W. Hill III
Head of School
Professora! Oh how amazing you were! I never would have learned Spanish without you. What dedication to your craft. You thought me how to study and I took that with me my entire life. The world has lost a good one.
Your memory is certainly a blessing. ❤️
Ms. Robinson was my Spanish and Philosophy teacher around 1979-1980. I loved her classes. She was an attentive and genuinely caring teacher. She said something to me once in Philosophy class that has stuck with me my entire life. She said “Every age has its beauty.” I have come back to this phrase over and over throughout my life. These small words gave me perspective on growing older, evolving, changing and meeting life’s challenges. I never got to tell her how meaningful that was for me.
My sincere condolences to her family and all of those who knew Ms. Robinson. She would want us all to see the beauty in all phases of her life as we remember and celebrate her.
Sincerely,
Virginia “Ginny” Weeks
Class of 1982
Dear Ray and family,
Prayers, love, thoughts, sadness, and tears,
Tom Gilbert
To Ray, Karen and Amy…you ultimately welcomed and saw in Cathleen one tremendous human being! To the greater WNS community, we have lost a great human being – teacher, mentor, friend, colleague, confidante, steadfast believer, and other personal and professional traits numerous to mention. She possessed courage, love, compassion, and strength. We cherished her for all that she gave us. We will cherish her more for all that she will give us. RIP.
I owe my love for the Spanish language and literature to Ms. Robinson. She sparked my curiosity and fostered my love for the language, which led to an incredible and impactful academic journey through my undergraduate years. I am filled with warm memories of her dedication and commitment to her students, and the confidence she inspired in me. Thinking of her and her family, and the WNS community today!
Love to the whole Brown family from the Bakers. We are thinking of all of you. We will always love the amazing Cathleen.
My first year Spanish teacher — made it fun and inspiring. My condolences to Ray Brown and family.
Thinking of you Coach Brown, Amy and Karen. What a wonderful woman, teacher and member of our Willy community. I know you will celebrate her life well.!
Sending my love and condolences to the Brown family – Coach and Profesora were dedicated and caring teachers and mentors during my time at Williston. I’m grateful for all you did to shape my experience.
Professora Robinson❤️. Always generous with patience and time. You really left your mark in this lost little girl. You’ll always be with me️. Love to your family from this forever changed member of the class of 1977. Thank you!
Ray, Karen, and Amy:
My heart goes out to your family. Cathleen was an angel sent to us all, and most importantly to you. Her smile, genuine love, and interest in others will always be remembered by the extended Williston family. She was an influence on so many, and in so many ways. With the greatest admiration and respect I wish you peace and comfort as you mourn and celebrate a life well lived.
Steve August ’72
Memories of Señora Robinson stay fresh — a tribute to her unique character and her combination of strictness and empathy. She taught me Spanish for a few years, but I think I saw her for who she was in philosophy class: a fiercely intelligent, inspired person, committed to instructing the ill-informed (us). I’m lucky to have had her as my teacher. We desperately need her kind of excellence. My condolences to her family.
— Priscilla (Pepita) Fusco
Class of 92
Ms. Robinson’s dedication to her students was remarkable. Lessons were always carefully planned and ready to challenge even the most well-prepared students. Her AP Spanish class was demanding–but I’ll never forget how proud I was when she complimented my improved use of the subjunctive in front of the class! Her praise meant the world because it was always intentional and authentic. She cared deeply about her students and wanted us to reach our full potential. I’m truly grateful for having had the opportunity to learn from such a special teacher and person. Sending my sincere condolences to Mr. Brown and the entire Brown family.