Barbara Robison

Barbara June Child Robison

Barbara went to join her Eternal Family on Saturday May 23rd. She had been hospitalized for the past two months at the University of Utah Medical Center after suffering a heart attack. She is survived by her four children: Liana (Don), Brook, Jennifer (Aaron) and Jodi (Jeff); her grandchildren Sean, Devi, Meena, Anna Marie, Ben, Eastlin, Megan, Joshua, Caitlin, Adam, Jacob; and great-grandchildren James, Christina, Lilly, Willow, as well as her two sisters, Joyce Frazier and Mary Beth (Jack) Lauritzen.

Barbara was born at home in Bountiful, Utah on Friday, June 5th, 1936 to Hazel Marie Adams and Harry Child. Mother was given a blessing of health at birth by her father which held her until this past Saturday. She was raised on their family farm until her marriage to Edward Lee Robison on November 22nd, 1957. She worked by his side in the family business. Their first endeavor was the 8th Street Market which they sold in 1968 to buy their first restaurant, Big Ed’s, which is still in business today. She retired from the restaurant business in 1985 and went to work for the University of Utah Medical Center Department of Anesthesiology for 20 years running the Residency Program. With her guidance, the program became one of the very best in the nation. She was very proud of all her residents and felt like a mother to them. Retirement did not last long. She loved her work and was asked to come back with the Fellow program for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Utah, which is where she worked at the time of her hospitalization. Barbara was considered “indispensable” by all that worked with her. 

Barbara’s education was always important to her and she always encouraged her children to seek a higher education. She graduated from Davis High School in 1954 and went on to attend Utah State University and the University of Utah. Mom loved orchids, Chihuahuas, music (The Statler Brothers, Johnny Cash, Peter Paul and Mary) and hated anything hotter than ketchup. 

Mom made sure her children were her priority, sacrificing many personal comforts. She made endless meals, class treats, sewed incredible Halloween costumes and went all out for Christmas dragging out that ginormous flocked Christmas tree which she spent hours decorating. No matter how stressed she was, she never showed it. She was always polite and calm in the midst of many storms. 

Mom could do practically anything—except live forever. She said at the end she still had more she wanted to do, but her body gave out. Your children will carry on your legacy. May you now finally have the so overdue rest you deserve, Mom. We will see you again. We love you!

A celebration of her life will be held on her birthday Friday, June 5th from 6-8PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. All who wish to join in celebrating the life of our mother are welcome. Complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com