Obituary for Robyn Russell
Robyn Ann Russell was born in Gulfport Mississippi on March 12, 1964 to Earl and Linda Goesling Russell. She and her older brother Eric were raised by their mother and grandmother Ursula Devron. From a young age Robyn loved sailing and she and her brother shared a small sailboat they spent many hours in. She also loved to play tennis and during high school competed at the Mississippi State College for Women.
Robyn furthered her education at the Mississippi State College for Women and graduated with a degree in Structural Design & Drafting from Jefferson Davis Junior College. She made her move to Houston in 1993 taking jobs at Han Padron Associates (HPA), ABB, and spent the bulk of her working career at IntecSEA. In 2021 she accepted a position at MODEC Intl. and worked there until her cancer diagnosis.
Robyn loved working on the design of Offshore Installations, she was extremely detail oriented and was passionate about her work. Robyn was always willing to take the time and share her knowledge with younger colleagues or junior engineers. She aimed to inspire those around her and always kept safety utmost in all offshore designs. She led teams of designers on various projects and was known to burn the midnight oil to get the job done. She always felt a deep sense of pride at a finished project, and made her fellow colleagues feel valued and appreciated. You would often catch her down in Ingleside TX, with the biggest smile possible, watching the latest floater pass the jetty. Her colleagues were like family and she was well respected and loved by many in the industry.
Robyn loved to travel and over the years took trips to other countries, vacationed on several islands including Hawaii and St. Kitts. She also traveled from coast to coast in the US. She enjoyed her back yard oasis where she maintained a variety of plants. She adored a wide range of music from the Beetles, 70’s rock, to more modern pop and contemporary Christian. She enjoyed going to concerts and sporting events, especially if the Saints or Astros were involved. She also cherished hanging out with her family at home “the boys”, Tracie and Jen Jen. Robyn enjoyed dining out, especially when she could enjoy a platter of oysters or some good Gumbo.
One of Robyn’s favorite sayings was, “Go big or go home!” Robyn didn’t do anything half hearted. If something could have a warranty, she’d buy three. If a set of tires were “top of the line,” she’d find a way to upgrade to something that might be just a little safer. Robyn loved big, lived big, and shared big. She was generous and did what she could to help anyone that needed it. To know Robyn was to love her. She leaves an incredible void in this world.
Robyn Ann Russell passed away peacefully in her home on September 29th at the age of 58 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was surrounded by her closest person, “sister” and housemate, Tracie Winegar, her two beloved dogs, Hanz and Franz, and by her “Jen Jen” Jennifer Dragt via live stream.
Robyn is survived by Tracie Winegar, her mother Linda Russell, Jennifer Dragt, Darla Winegar, her sister Jen Richardson (husband David), nephews Jacob and Michael, cousins Leslie Maack, Annette Bevil and Judi Autrey, her beloved dachshunds Hanz and Franz, many other cousins, dear friends and cherished co-workers. She is preceded in death by her grandmother Ursula, brother Eric, father Earl, and her first precious dachshund Guiness.
Special Thank yous to: Heidi O’Neill, trusted and cherished friend of Robyn’s for 18 years, she stepped in from the start of the diagnosis to support Robyn and Tracie. Thank you Heidi for the multiple trips to the doctors, for the hours of overseeing complicated insurances and bills. You’ve been a steadfast friend and a huge blessing. Sandy Sharp, another long time precious friend who also came along side to help with care for Robyn from time to time, offering support to Tracie, and staying with Robyn so Tracie could leave the house for necessary appointments. And neighbors who are truly friends: Veda and Tomislav who also helped in many ways. Veda worked with Robyn doing physical therapy early on and they both offered support and help wherever and whenever they could. Donna Silvers for the hot meals and emotional support as well.
There will be a Celebration of life service for Robyn on October 29th at 11:00am with a one hour visitation prior to the service. The service will be held at Encourager Church 10950 Katy Freeway, Houston. Live streaming of the service will also be available via Facebook on Robyn’s wall.
Robyn furthered her education at the Mississippi State College for Women and graduated with a degree in Structural Design & Drafting from Jefferson Davis Junior College. She made her move to Houston in 1993 taking jobs at Han Padron Associates (HPA), ABB, and spent the bulk of her working career at IntecSEA. In 2021 she accepted a position at MODEC Intl. and worked there until her cancer diagnosis.
Robyn loved working on the design of Offshore Installations, she was extremely detail oriented and was passionate about her work. Robyn was always willing to take the time and share her knowledge with younger colleagues or junior engineers. She aimed to inspire those around her and always kept safety utmost in all offshore designs. She led teams of designers on various projects and was known to burn the midnight oil to get the job done. She always felt a deep sense of pride at a finished project, and made her fellow colleagues feel valued and appreciated. You would often catch her down in Ingleside TX, with the biggest smile possible, watching the latest floater pass the jetty. Her colleagues were like family and she was well respected and loved by many in the industry.
Robyn loved to travel and over the years took trips to other countries, vacationed on several islands including Hawaii and St. Kitts. She also traveled from coast to coast in the US. She enjoyed her back yard oasis where she maintained a variety of plants. She adored a wide range of music from the Beetles, 70’s rock, to more modern pop and contemporary Christian. She enjoyed going to concerts and sporting events, especially if the Saints or Astros were involved. She also cherished hanging out with her family at home “the boys”, Tracie and Jen Jen. Robyn enjoyed dining out, especially when she could enjoy a platter of oysters or some good Gumbo.
One of Robyn’s favorite sayings was, “Go big or go home!” Robyn didn’t do anything half hearted. If something could have a warranty, she’d buy three. If a set of tires were “top of the line,” she’d find a way to upgrade to something that might be just a little safer. Robyn loved big, lived big, and shared big. She was generous and did what she could to help anyone that needed it. To know Robyn was to love her. She leaves an incredible void in this world.
Robyn Ann Russell passed away peacefully in her home on September 29th at the age of 58 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was surrounded by her closest person, “sister” and housemate, Tracie Winegar, her two beloved dogs, Hanz and Franz, and by her “Jen Jen” Jennifer Dragt via live stream.
Robyn is survived by Tracie Winegar, her mother Linda Russell, Jennifer Dragt, Darla Winegar, her sister Jen Richardson (husband David), nephews Jacob and Michael, cousins Leslie Maack, Annette Bevil and Judi Autrey, her beloved dachshunds Hanz and Franz, many other cousins, dear friends and cherished co-workers. She is preceded in death by her grandmother Ursula, brother Eric, father Earl, and her first precious dachshund Guiness.
Special Thank yous to: Heidi O’Neill, trusted and cherished friend of Robyn’s for 18 years, she stepped in from the start of the diagnosis to support Robyn and Tracie. Thank you Heidi for the multiple trips to the doctors, for the hours of overseeing complicated insurances and bills. You’ve been a steadfast friend and a huge blessing. Sandy Sharp, another long time precious friend who also came along side to help with care for Robyn from time to time, offering support to Tracie, and staying with Robyn so Tracie could leave the house for necessary appointments. And neighbors who are truly friends: Veda and Tomislav who also helped in many ways. Veda worked with Robyn doing physical therapy early on and they both offered support and help wherever and whenever they could. Donna Silvers for the hot meals and emotional support as well.
There will be a Celebration of life service for Robyn on October 29th at 11:00am with a one hour visitation prior to the service. The service will be held at Encourager Church 10950 Katy Freeway, Houston. Live streaming of the service will also be available via Facebook on Robyn’s wall.