Robin L. Boyden

Robin Lynn Boyden, 59, of Rockford, IL. broke the bonds of earth and flew free at Blah blah time, blah blah date (November 12, 2020), after battling metastatic breast cancer. There was much weeping, wailing, tearing of hair and rending of clothes.

She goes onward to join her loved ones who proceeded her: Carlyle F. Boyden (Father), Maryann (Gillette) Boyden (Mother), Melody Ann Loftis (Sister), and special pets Pebbles, Paula and Chester.

Robin patiently awaits the day she is joined by her surviving loved ones: Bonnie M. Bichl (Sister – the Matriarch), Courtney (Corky) A. Boyden (my creep to his pest); along with her favorite nieces and nephews Mitzi and her husband Tim Herber, Heather and her husband Casey Perkins, Nick and his wife Sami Boyden, Shane Bichl, Hillery and her wife Stephanie Boyden, Kathy and her husband Joe Morton, Brandy and her husband Justin, Scott and his wife Nancy Preston, Kurt Preston and his wife Leah; her favorite grand-nieces and nephews Tricia and her husband Kevin Loberg, Kayla Boyden, Hunter, Sabra, Noah, Aaron, Skylar and Nephew-by-proxy Andrew; and favorite great grand-nieces Kealynn, Sophia and Olivia; along with her Extra-special cousins - Jim and Judy Rockenbach.

She is also survived by her Extra Extra Special Close friends – Bob Apolloni, Kelly Day, Sheryl Srivastava, Dawn Archuleta – don’t let distance keep you apart. Cheers to Karen Bieschke, Molly Phalen, Randy and Betsy Baker, Joe and Kathy Schoening. I had a blast with you bunch, you added so much to my life. Much thanks to Steve and Jill Tritt, movie nights were great! A special shout out to the Two Babes – Maria Apolloni and Betty Day, keep it up as long as you can. Tell Bob to slow down and not follow so close.

To her amazing neighbor Alice Robb and son Nick (and all the furbabies), there aren’t enough thanks. None are needed. We had each other’s back. Life handed us heartbreak and we were there for each other. We were sisters.

Robin also leaves behind her own kitten cats – Shadow (the Curmudgeon) and Skeezix (Mr. Laid Back). They’re the ones she was most concerned about. They won’t understand, but she knew there were loving arms and homes willing to take them in and care for them. She awaits their bright spirits, as well.

Born June 14, 1961 on the same date as her father’s birthday, Robin lived most of her life in Rockford. After graduating from Jefferson High school, she attended NIU, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. Didn’t do anything with it, but the experience was worth millions and would not have resulted in the lifelong friendships that brought joy and laughter into her life.

She worked for various businesses in Rockford including the Framing Place and J. L. Clark Plastic Division. Deciding that factory work was not for her, she quit without any prospects which concerned her father greatly. A few months later Robin was hired into Lifetouch Inc, a yearbook and commercial publishing plant located in Loves Park, IL. where she worked for just over twenty years. Her father was very proud of her achievements within the company! Robin started out working as a Black & White film stripper (Hey, that’s what it was called!) for 3 seasons, and then was hired into the Commercial department. She worked first as a Customer Service Representative, then as Estimator for the entire department. The company was sold in 2018, resulting in the plant being closed in 2019. Her last day was June 14th. Yup, her birthday…

In her youth, Robin had the special treat of traveling with her family to visit relatives in California and Florida. During these trips she saw the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater, Carlsbad Caverns, Key West, and many other fun and wonderful places. Seeing the ever-changing scenery was especially amazing.

During the late 80’s and early 90’s, she participated in an artist studio/gallery known as Madison Street Studios where Robin both created and displayed her watercolor/colored pencil/marker artwork in personal and group openings, and in ArtScene - a city-wide exhibition.

Robin loved caring for her house, getting out into the yard, and going for long drives in her 2004 Ford Thunderbird convertible just to see where the roads would take her. Her hobbies included cross-stitching, quilting, reading, clothes shopping and spending too much time watching HGTV, Food Network and Disney+.

But most of all Robin loved getting together with family and friends for holidays, birthdays, Friday night and special wine dinners at Five Forks, plays, shows, concerts, movies, trips, 2nd breakfasts and just becauses. She never laughed harder than sitting next to her brother during roller-coaster rides at Great America. She was treated by her friends Bob and Kelly to an amazing birthday in Chicago which included a Segway tour – try one, they’re a blast! Robin also taught Nick and Hillery the fine art of snow drift driving, a skill they’re sure to pass on to future generations. Ah, there’s just too much to put in here – Siesta Key, The Four Babes and a Bob Tour, Corp Christmases, Neighbor Night, Raclette dinners, and Beloit Farmers Market runs are just a few of the amazing moments.

In March of 2019, Robin was diagnosed with Metastatic Stage 4 Breast cancer, which responded well to treatment and was clear by August. She was surprised by her family and friends with the Pink Heals Firetruck, it was amazing! Unfortunately, the cancer mutated, hid out in the bones and attacked with a vengeance in December. After two hospital stays due to the Chemo, Robin elected to stop treatment. A very special thank you to everyone at both Swedish American Hospital and Swedish American Cancer Center. You couldn’t meet more caring, helpful and concerned health professionals. Thank you Dr. Einhorn and Dr. Pedapati for doing your best – we beat the first round, but the second round proved too much.

I loved and was loved and I was happy. Can’t ask for any better.

A walk through visitation for Robin will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Masks and social distancing will be required.