Murdered mom ‘lit up the room’
Estranged husband charged with second-degree murder
Aileen “Gina” Robinson was the life of the party.
But the longtime Safeway employee was more than just the “entertainment committee,” friend Nancy Kowacz said Sunday
“She has a heart of gold. And she loves her kids to death.”
Just before 10 p.m. Monday, emergency responders were called to Warwick Road, in the Dunluce neighbourhood, where they found Robinson, 54, with serious injuries. Edmonton’s ninth homicide victim of the year, she died from her injuries two days later in hospital.
“Our family has been greatly affected by this tragic event,” her brother, Reg Chimko, said Sunday afternoon, choking back tears as he read a statement outside the RCMP detachment in St. Albert. “Gina was a beloved sister, mom, co-worker and friend.
“Her loss is devastating, not only to her family, but to everyone who knew her.”
Police believe Robinson was assaulted in the home where her estranged husband, Gilbert Paul Robinson, 58, lived. Arrested at a relative’s house just outside Edmonton, Robinson was charged Saturday with second-degree murder and taken into custody.
“As the week progressed and the investigation progressed, we came to the conclusion it wasn’t an accident and was a criminal death,” Staff Sgt. Brad Goeson of the Edmonton Police Service homicide unit said Saturday.
Police said the couple didn’t have a history of domestic violence, although her family is asking for donations to Win House, a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence, in lieu of flowers.
Described as kind-hearted and well-loved by fellow Safeway workers, Robinson went to a resort in the Dominican Republic in February with Kowacz and another friend. “Not a day went by that we weren’t laughing so hard,” Kowacz said. “Gina’s got so much life and soul in her, that no matter what kind of mood you’re in, she brings you up.”
Kowacz said Robinson planned to learn to play golf this summer, was going camping, and was going to participate in a women’s group. On Sunday, three members of her family clutched one another outside the St. Albert police station, and comforted her brother when he broke down reading the statement. She leaves behind her children, Amanda and Paul, and four siblings.
“Gina lit up the room whenever she entered and her laugh was infectious,” Chimko said. “She cared about everyone and loved her children dearly.”
Chimko said his sister had made arrangements to have her organs donated. “We know she has left us, but through her donation four other people will live on,” he said. “It is a tribute to her character.”