originally posted on 5/29/2020 1:07:58 PM
Photo: B. Derek Shaw. View full-sized image.
Longtime ACE member Ann Marie Robinson passed away on May 11, aged 71. Both she and her husband, Eugene, have been active ACEers for years. Residing in Lakewood, Ohio, they represented the Eastern Great Lakes Region (formerly Northern/Southern Ohio Region). Ann joined ACE in 1988.
Although legally blind, Ann and Eugene rarely missed ACE events locally, regionally or nationally. Ann Marie would organize their trips and Eugene would make the needed reservations. They traveled by bus, plane, train and taxi. Friends would assist with driving too.
At events, Ann used an electric wheelchair, and Eugene would walk alongside Ann. He then would ride the coasters multiple times. When it was time to move to another coaster, Ann was ready to travel. She made sure they were both on time for activities, ERTs, meals, the business meeting at Coaster Con and other special shows. She always knew where Eugene was when he wore his Fred Flintstone shirt.
In addition to being a coaster enthusiast, she was also a member of the Lake Erie Blind Bowlers Association.
Ann was always interested in others. She often asked how our family was doing, especially our daughter and gymnastic granddaughter.
We will miss Ann Marie Robinson, a caring, kind soul who was a great example that ACE is about people and not only coasters.
—Earl Shick and Susan Shick, Eastern Great Lakes Assistant Regional Rep
I remember my first time meeting Ann Marie. I had been a member less than a year, and I was attending The Howling, Worlds of Fun’s park event in 1990. Timberwolf was running in prime form. After a particularly good ride during ERT, I heard this voice in the seat behind me say, “This is the best club.” It was Ann. I turned around and agreed, and it was a connection I remembered forever.
Ann and Eugene were frequent attendees to our local Lone Star Coasterthon. It was always a special touch to see them come all the way to Texas each year. Even though she didn’t ride much in these later years, she still enjoyed being around people and making sure Eugene was having a good time.
This is the best club indeed, Ann Marie.
—Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
Ann was a genuinely nice person. She told me they made a point of coming to our Texas event because they loved our park and appreciated how nice our team was to ACE. She just always said thanks since the first time I met them. One time, my assistant Olivia and I were talking about them after a Coasterthon event, and I mentioned that I hope they had a good time (since she couldn’t ride anything). Olivia said they did. When I asked how she knew, she said because Ann had thanked her several times. A few days later, Olivia and I both received a handwritten note of thanks from her.
She was so sweet and gracious. I’m so sorry to hear this sad news about her.
—Sharon Parker, Communications Manager, Six Flags Over Texas
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