- ROBBIE MCQUISTON OBITUARY
Robbie Walker McQuiston
A memorial service for Robbie will be held at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Friday, May 19, at 11:00 am.
Robbie was gifted and creative. She learned to play the dulcimer, tried her hand at falconry, practiced and taught meditation, and smocked dresses for her daughters. She appreciated the detail and precision of icon writing and the expression of abstract art, exploring the idea of angels in particular. Her paintings grace a number of local businesses and homes. Her self-described "gift to myself" at the age of fifty was to go back to school and obtain a master's degree in art history. She then taught art history at the University of Memphis.
This second-season career in the arts was built on a foundation of teaching and learning. She was a school teacher and librarian and then devoted her talents to the Episcopal Church. She served at the Church of the Holy Communion; first as the Christian Education director and later she was both the organizer of small group ministries and also was instrumental in the formation of an innovative Sunday night worship service. Her diverse career also included serving as the first Director of Bridge Builders.
Robbie loved art and collected religious images including folk art, Madonna statuary, and angels. She relished being in conversation with others and was a dedicated member of multiple study groups and book clubs. She and John loved to travel, especially with friends and family. Her travels took her to Europe, especially her beloved Italy, Peru, Mexico, Thailand, and Bhutan. She hiked in the Smokies, vacationed in Maine, and spent much time in Destin.
Her most extraordinary talent was forming meaningful relationships with family and friends. She and John built a community of valued friends. Her last weeks were spent receiving visits from some of the many people who loved her and whose lives were shaped by her presence. A short while before she died, she told John that she had lived a wonderful life.
Robbie was preceded in death by her parents, Ione and Billy Walker, and her sister Molly Walker. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, John McQuiston; her daughters Anna McQuiston and Katherine Bush; her grandchildren Caroline Holtzclaw, Henry Bush, and John Bush; her son-in-law Stephen Bush; son-in-heart Tod Holtzclaw; her sister Virginia Walker; and nieces Caroline Parsons, Alice Somers, and Joy Miller.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to BRIDGES and Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
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1943 - 2023 (80 years)
