Jan Erica Robinson
12/24/1947 – 11/30/2024
Jan Erica Robinson (age 76) died at home, surrounded by her loving husband Bruce and three sons, Randal, Eric and Todd, on November 30, 2024 in Forestville, CA.
Jan’s “happy place” was her family. She loved her three grandkids (Jack, Sara and Claire). She loved her daughters-in-law (Megumi, Tiffaney and Kelley) and her biggest love was her three boys and husband Bruce.
Jan grew up in Sacramento, CA. She was the daughter of Robert and Claire (Adams) Johnson. She had a younger brother, Jon who became a professional Ice Capades ice skater. Jan attended Encina High School. When young, she worked at her family’s pet store where her love of animals – furry, feathered and fishy – grew. She was a life-long animal lover caring for her horses, a cow, turkey, ducks, geese, chickens, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish and goats over the years.
Jan met and married Gene Nelson and had three boys, Randy, Eric & Todd. Jan and Gene divorced and Jan reunited with her highschool sweetheart, Bruce Robinson. They fell in love and married in 1976. Bruce adopted the boys and raised them as their dad. The family moved to Forestville, CA in 1990.
In addition to raising their family, Jan went to school and earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Pacific Union College. She worked at Agilent Technologies in Santa Rosa for several years.
Once the kids were grown, Jan became a prolific seamstress making quilts, home decor, clothing and trying any cute pattern she could find. In sewing, she loved color and anything fuzzy or sparkly. Jan also had a green thumb. Her flower garden brimmed with color, texture and fragrance. Her garden was another “happy place”. Jan loved the holidays with home-cooked meals and decorating the house in the holiday spirit. She was a great cook and liked to try new recipes. She instilled a love of cooking in her boys too, which the whole family greatly appreciates as part of Jan’s legacy. She loved to travel and see new places. She especially enjoyed cruises and their family trips to Hawaii and Alaska. Jan also loved nature. One of her favorite walks was amongst the cool forest floor of Armstrong Redwoods State Park not far from their home. Jan loved music of all kinds and dancing with Bruce to the Bee Gees in the living room.
Jan will be remembered for being a wonderful mother, grandmother and wife. She had a huge and generous heart which came through in her sewing, cooking and caring for her kids, grandkids, husband, pets and garden. She was a beautiful soul and she will be dearly missed.
