Dr. Martha Mary Whelan Robinson, PhD, was born on September 3, 1958, to Duane and Mary (Webster) Whelan. Martha was a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, mentor, and friend. She grew up in East Hampton, New York, as one of 12 children. Growing up by the ocean, she learned to sail with her father and would swim at every opportunity throughout her life. Her mother was a devoted artist, and Martha cherished a large collection of her works and chose to study art in college.

In the early 1980s, after graduating from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont, Martha moved to Chicago, Illinois. There, she met the love of her life on a train to a rally for peace. She married Eric Robinson on July 19, 1986, and together they took on the world and helped as many people as possible through their work, activism, and ministry. They had three children and the family often traveled. Martha visited 48 states and traveled internationally during her life.

Martha dedicated her professional career to service and leadership. In her early years, after working for various community and social services, she co-founded Deborah’s Place, a homeless shelter for women where she served as Director. Later, she became the Executive Director of an organization that helped the developmentally challenged transition from state institutions to stable living arrangements. As part of that effort, she was named to the Illinois Commission on Social Services for advising the Governor on policy.

Martha’s family then moved to Indiana where she was diagnosed as dyslexic, following the diagnoses of her three children. Now devoted to pursuing equitable education and helping people with learning differences, she earned a PhD in school psychology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Over the next ten years, she became a distinguished educator and school psychologist while working at several different institutions. She was a member of the American Psychological Association; served as Director of the Masonic Learning Center for Children in Indianapolis; was a Fellow in the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading; co-founded Fortune Academy (previously 'Hutson School' in honor of her mentor Phyllis Huston), a school for children with language-based learning disabilities in Indianapolis, Indiana; taught at the University of Southern Indiana, Ivy Tech, and Butler University; and she invented a unique linguistic approach to teaching reading, which has changed the lives of many and is now called the Robinson Reading System.

Martha's philosophy was “God is love.” She felt deeply connected to the three faith perspectives of her life: The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Methodism, and Catholicism. Much of her leadership and service was in the form of ministry, and she provided free literacy education, participated in mission trips to Kenya to provide literacy help, and was preparing to become a Deacon. She also loved to sing hymns and supported her husband's vocation as a minister.

Martha was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) seven years ago. She faced this disease with profound strength of character. She was supported constantly by her beloved husband, who acted as her primary caregiver throughout all stages of the disease. Her eldest son, Liam, lived with Martha and Eric to support her care, her daughter Kearney moved nearby, and her son Aidan visited from Texas. Despite this disease, she continued to serve others. She and her husband organized an ALS support group and she continued to tutor children and adults, mentor educators on her reading system, and support her husband's work in ministry by listening to, and critiquing, drafts of his sermons. Martha cherished visits from family and friends, especially the regular phone calls from her sister Becky, who called and read to her many times each week , bringing her great comfort.

Martha’s smile and warmth lit up every room she entered. She always insisted on being called 'Martha’ by everyone, young and old, regardless of the numerous titles and accolades she collected in her life. She had long, thick black hair, and always wore the same rings: her engagement and wedding rings, her great-great-grandfather's ring, and a ring gifted to her by her cherished great-aunt Gertrude. She loved reading, listening to audio books, singing, and watching mysteries. She loved the music of Kris Kristofferson. She loved diving into the ocean and then taking a nap on the beach. She relished long conversations and meeting new people. She had a clever sense of humor and a great laugh. She was kind. She was beautiful. She was present. She was a great listener. She was brilliant and wise.

Martha passed away at age 65 in her home in Connersville, Indiana, on February 7, 2024, with her loving husband by her side. Martha is survived by her devoted husband, Rev. Eric Robinson of Connersville, Indiana, and her three children: Liam of Connersville, Indiana; Aidan of San Antonio, Texas; and Kearney of Evansville, Indiana. She is also survived by eight siblings: Margaret Eaton of East Montpelier, Vermont; Susana Kelly of Highland Beach, Florida; Rebecca O’Herron of Newburgh, New York; David Whelan of Sag Harbor, New York; Anne Mullins of Orland Park, Illinois; John Whelan of East Hampton, New York; Elizabeth Whelan Kotz of Bridgehampton, New York; and Joseph Whelan of Bristol, Rhode Island; along with many nieces and nephews.

As a final act of service to others, Martha requested her body be donated to further ALS research. Her remaining ashes were returned to her family for burial. This memorial was held on June 15th, the anniversary of her first date with her husband Eric.

Her love lives in the people she mentored, the lives she changed, and the friends and family she cared for. Memorial donations can be made to continue her work below.

 

In Loving Memory