Margaret Robertson (Peggy) Robison died peacefully at home on

Thursday, December 9, 2021. Born on October 9, 1927 in Salem,

Virginia, Peggy was the daughter of the late Margaret Heindl Robertson

and John Churchill Robertson.

Peggy attended Andrew Lewis High School but never graduated; at

the age of sixteen she won a four-year piano college scholarship to

Converse College where she earned her BA in Music. After college she

was accepted into the Julliard School of Music and studied with

Katherine Bacon.

In 1948 Peggy married pediatrician and later emergency room

physician William (Bill) Robison. They began their married life in New

York City where he was a resident in pediatrics and after three years

moved to Roanoke for him to begin his practice of medicine. They

were blessed with four children and almost sixty-nine years of marriage

before Bill died in 2017.

Peggy was a steward of her God- given talents. She had a keen

business mind and enjoyed buying and renovating rental properties.

She worked well with people and was enriched by her association

with her tenants and attributed her success to the relationships

she built with all who helped her.

Peggy was active in her community. She was a member of the

Junior League of the Roanoke Valley serving as provisional chairman

for new members. She was a member of the Mill Mountain Garden

Club for many years and was also active as a member at St. John’s

Episcopal Church with the women of the church. She was the ECW

president for two years, program chairman, and prayer and worship

chairman. Peggy also was chairman of the Youth Symphony from 1959-

61. She organized the first week-long summer camp for youth

musicians at Hollins College. Funds were raised to

award eight scholarships for outstanding young musicians. The

summer camp is still a highlight for The Youth Symphony.

Peggy remained serious about her piano and formed a two-piano

group of women (and one gentleman) who had studied piano. She was

blessed to own a Steinway piano and to inherit her mother’s. Their

beloved pet dog Annie would race to the piano and sit under it as Peggy

practiced. An in-home Christmas and Spring Program at Peggy’s with

invited guests kept the pianists’ brains active and their fingers nimble.

Peggy was a performer and a perfectionist with her playing.

Peggy and Bill spent their winters in Naples, Florida after Bill’s

retirement and spread their southern charm. In her leisure time she

played tennis, golf, and a competitive game of bridge.

Peggy will be remembered for her zest for life, her ability to dream

and see her dreams become reality, her exceptional people skills, her

quiet wisdom, and her love for her family.

Survivors include two daughters, Anne Stuart DeFoe and Margaret R.

Lemon (David); two sons, William Churchill Robison (Lee) and

Kenneth Orr Robison II (Harriet). She loved and admired her six

grandchildren, Bryan Hepner (Christina), Margaret Thomas (John),

Preston Lemon (Meagan), Ted Robison, Morgan Robison, Anna

Robison; and ten great-grandchildren. She was affectionately called
Jama by them. Peggy was predeceased by her husband Bill and

younger sister, Anne Robertson Morgan. The skilled care provided by

Peggy’s team of caretakers and Carilion Hospice enabled Peggy to stay

in her home for the last several years of her life, and the family thanks

them for their care and compassion.

The family will receive friends at the family home on Peakwood Drive

Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 pm. A Memorial Service

will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. John’s

Episcopal Church followed by a reception in the parish hall.

Interment will be private in the St. John’s Garden Columbarium.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church Endowment

Fund, The Roanoke Symphony, or a favorite charity.