MARA ROBINSON
1929-2020 Lifelong Patron of Arts and Education
Mara Robinson worked every day of her life on creating her own destiny, personally connecting with everyone she came across, and becoming a lifelong patron of the arts and education. Her life of hardship also filled her heart with great compassion for others. Those fortunate enough to venture near felt her calling. Mara was a longtime resident of Santa Fe who passed away early December 24th at the age of 91.
Mara (nee: Betty-Jane Dommer) did not have an auspicious start to life, being born in rural Nebraska to a 16 year old unwed mother at the start of the Great Depression. Life was not any easier after moving to Central California with her mother and stepfather at age 7. She fantasized about a life of culture and believed that through hard work and determination she could fulfill her dreams.
Inspired by the movies of the day, Mara started studying tap dance and singing at an early age. The performing arts gave joy and hope to her life. She found a potential route to a new life away from challenging conditions at home when at the young age of 16 she moved to her singing teacher’s house in San Francisco and started performing in a variety of operatic roles. She chose her stage name of Tamara Lindovna to be exotic and unique; and this she was.
Mara faced a number of years of turbulence, though buoyed by spending evenings after work with a small opera company, before she met and married Charles (Chuck) Robinson in 1957. This marriage provided a unique synergy that allowed her to support her many causes, satisfy her desire for a family, and to travel the world filling a desire to experience diverse cultures. She soon started a small opera company in San Francisco, “Opera West,” to support local struggling artists. This was the first in a long legacy of support for music and dance companies.
Both because of her great poverty and the pain of social rejection she experienced as a child, she became a crusader for those who were marginalized due to poverty and prejudice. In the early 1960’s with racial tensions on the rise throughout the US, Mara became a staunch supporter of civil rights and joined an encounter group working to improve race relationships. Her hosting of a “black and white ball” and friendships with African-Americans were unusual enough in those days to be written up in local newspapers. Her efforts even led to a death threat. Throughout her life she displayed a unique ability to befriend and connect to people from all walks of life and parts of the world.
Exploring the world and learning new languages brought her great delight and she, in particular, developed a love for Venice, Italy with its magical spirit and beauty around every corner. Carnivale in Venice became one of the highlights of her year, where she took great joy in the lavish costumes and its magical spirit. Many of her close friends and family have been fortunate to experience Venice with her, where she delighted in sharing the food, museums, and the maze of streets that she learned to navigate with ease, even when acqua alta necessitated the wearing of rubber boots. Mara was active for many years with Save Venice, which is dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy.
It was her passion for opera which first brought Mara to her cherished Santa Fe, first visiting in the early 70’s and eventually establishing it firmly as home. Here she became enthralled not only with the rich musical arts scene, but also with the pueblo culture, pottery and jewelry, and local traditions such as the Christmas farolitos, burning of Zozobra, and Indian Market. She never did learn to appreciate New Mexican green chile and real margaritas, but the rest of her family very much did.
In 2009, Mara and her husband received the Santa Fe Majors award for Philanthropy in the Arts. In 2014, they were also recognized and honored as “New Mexico Living Treasures” for their “many contributions to the community life of New Mexico, especially their support of arts and education.” They were devout supporters and regular attendees of the Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, The National Dance Institute of New Mexico, New Mexico School for the Arts, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Museum of NM Foundation, Santa Fe Symphony, Performance Santa Fe, The Lensic Theater, Santa Fe Pro Musica, as well as supporting St. Johns College and other local organizations. In addition to her love of culture, education, and the arts, she also had a huge heart for animals, especially cats.
Mara was a lifelong learner, believing that it was her obligation to continually expand her mind by reading books and attending lectures on diverse topics. In 1983, at the age of 54 she proudly graduated from St John’s College with a Master’s of Liberal Arts Degree. She loved being a student at St. John’s and thrived there. Not having the privilege to attend college when she was young, caused her to value the opportunity of education immensely. It thus was particularly tragic when in her 80’s she started experiencing the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, which gradually took away her ability to enjoy all the things she cherished most.
Whether it was fighting for civil rights and social justice, or providing opportunities for low-income children, Mara was always working to make the world a kinder place. Her passing is a loss to those around her touched by her enthusiasm for people in all their diversity.
Mara is preceded in death by her husband Charles Robinson. She is survived by three daughters, Heather Robinson, Lisa Robinson Spader, and Wendy Robinson; grandchildren, Paige, Bryce, Brenna, Sierra, Patrick, and Oliver; and sons-in-law, Joseph McDermott and Matt Spader.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the charity of their choice that supports the arts and young people achieving their dreams.