Evie Jane

Evie Robbins Grossman was born the youngest of four daughters to Abe and Bessie Robbins in Cleveland, Ohio. After giving birth to her three older sisters, my Grandma Bessie had her “tubes tied” to ensure that would be the end of her days with babies. Imagine her surprise when, 14 years later, my mom somehow managed to slip through the knot and become the fourth daughter in the Robbins family. Though the age difference between her and her nieces/nephews was closer than that to her sisters, as they will tell you, she always had an innocence (naivete?) that made her seem more like her older sisters than the younger generation.

Unlike my mother, my cousins (her nieces and nephews) were a rowdy bunch. They were the ones who first introduced me to live music and having fun. There is an urban legend among our family that when a couple of them were in college at the Ohio State University, my mom and my Aunt Mitzi were visiting them in the dorm when another student walked in the room and said, “hey, we got that quarter pounder for you,” referring to a marijuana purchase. That student left and my mom turned and said, “that is so nice someone brought you lunch! You should go get it before your Quarter Pounder gets cold!” Naturally, Evie Jane thought someone was delivering Burger King to my cousin because, well, because she is Evie Jane. Age difference of a few years, but an entire generation between them.

At the youthful age of 21, she met the man that she would become engaged to six weeks later and would remain married to for, as of today, well over five decades, raising three children and now, celebrating three more grandchildren to grow the family. Through the years, she has had many hobbies and passions - tennis, golf, knitting, shopping, wine, good food - but none as much as her family. From close knit sisters after losing her father at 13, to the love of the family she helped create and grow, my mom has truly dedicated her life to our family.

This inspirational lady in my series is none other than my mom, Evie Jane. She was a teen in the original picture, looking a lot like Jackie O style, with her updo and pearls. Her stained glass captures her perfectly coiffed hair and timeless black dress. She is wearing antique chandelier crystals and freshwater pearls for her necklace and earrings. And her face has pressed pink and white flowers with pink and gold iridescent glitter and gold hearts to represent the heart of gold she shares with her family and friends. The butterfly in her face represents the many metamorphoses throughout her life she has gone through.