Robin (Glassman) Marshall
Robin (Glassman) Marshall, 83, of Woodbridge died on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at Highlands Health Care Center from complications related to Alzheimer's Disease. She passed peacefully with family by her side. Deep and lasting relationships reflect the love between Robin and her family and friends. Robin is survived by her three children John Marshall, Holly (Marshall) Konrady, and Katharine (Marshall) Lehman and their families, Ruth and John Marshall, Ralph, Tanner, and Kelsey Konrady, Russ, Bryce, and Mia Lehman. She is also survived by her dear friend, Richard Hodes and Peter, Andrew, Nancy and Sallie Anne Glassman. Robin was preceded in death by her first husband Dr. John D. Marshall, Jr., her second husband James Glassman, and her brother Robert Ahrens. Born in Jacksonville, Florida on Sept. 3, 1925, Robin was the daughter of the late Robert and Ruth Nelson Ahrens. Robin was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and studied journalism at Tulane University where she received her BA degree in 1945. She received her MA in Psychology from Yale University in 1950. During Robin's 50-year career in Journalism, she served as reporter, writer and editor for numerous newspapers and magazines. In her role as Professor of Journalism at Southern Connecticut Sate University she founded the Journalism Department in 1979 starting from a single course. She also received numerous awards including Teacher of the Year from SCSU in 1986 and Distinguished Teacher of Journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) in 1989. The SPJ also named their Lifetime Achievement Award after her. Robin is a member of the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame. Following her retirement at the age of 70 she wrote a bi-weekly column for the Connecticut Post, and wrote many articles and stories for other well-known publications. Robin is cherished by her family, friends, colleagues, and students for her gracious sharing of time and her integrity and honesty. While Robin will be deeply missed, the impact of her life's work and loving spirit will continue to be passed on through the lives of the many people she has touched. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM in the Michael J. Adanti Student Center, third floor, on the Southern Connecticut State University campus. Contributions in Robin's memory can be made to the Annual Robin Marshall Glassman Journalism Scholarship Award thru Southern Connecticut State University, Journalism Department. Arrangements are in care of BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden.
How sad to read the news about my beloved Journalism professor from SCSU. I remember being in the journalism lab back in 1985 – we had to use typewriters back then – and Professor Glassman had the most soothing yet firm voice. I absolutely loved her class. She helped me to find my inner voice and ultimately follow my dream. I remember she hosted a party for the Journalism Dept. in her home. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy to her grieving family and beloved friends. She was a peaceful jewel, precious and extremely rare, profound and inspiring, creative and brilliant. How lucky was I to have been touched by her creativity and inspiration. These are the gifts to pay forward to our students, gifts that will live on for eternity. With fond memories and sadness in your loss, Anne Pacelli
How sad….Ive taught for about 20 years in the Jrn dept part-time…..at that time she encouraged me, mentored me, and I havent left Southern since….asked me on a Friday if I might be interested…I said maybe some day…..she said class starts Tuesday…we met in my backyard in West Haven that Saturday……I was scared to death….she was a young 63 at the time….sweet memories…..
Joe and I will miss Robin’s Holiday stories and the time she spent with us, sharing her life. She will be missed. Our sympathy to her family and friends. Ann M. Brignola
Expressing our deepest sympathy and kindest thoughts to Robin’s family and friends. She was a very lucky person to have such incredibly supportive children and others around her, and we were all very lucky people to have had her in our lives.
I will always remember Robin. She was the epitome of sweet elegance, a true lady. Her gentle wit and sparkling intelect were always of a kind and thoughtful nature. Please accept my sincere condolences to her beautiful children and to her dear friend, Richard. I will never forget the lovely hospitality you extended to me. Love, Silia
My family and I met Robin through my dad Richard and she made us feel so welcome. She was truly the perfect Southern woman. She was gentle, kind, caring, gracious and had a zest for life. She was full of love and pride for her children and grandchildren. My family and I feel truly blessed to have known Robin and express our heartfelt sympathies to all who Knew and loved her! May your hearts have peace knowing that she touched so many lives which left a mark on our hearts. Our greatest tribute to Robin would be that each of us pass along one of her many attributes to those we encounter! With deepest sympathy~ Marsha,Joe,Amanda and Olivia Sacca
I was so sorry to learn of Robin’s passing. She was a powerful influence on generations of journalists. She represented all that is right about journalism and about teaching. I will miss her. Maureen Croteau Journalism Department, University of Connecticut
Thank you for sharing Robin with us. I was fortunate to take several of her classes in the mid-70s at SCSU. She had an effortless grace, a sharp wit and an admirable persistence in her creation of the Journalism Department. Please accept my condolences on your loss. May your memories of Robin help you through the coming days, weeks and months.
As a member of Robin’s first Journalism graduating class in 1980, I will only have fond memories of her. She was articulate, a mentor, a great professor and wonderful woman. I cherished all of the classes I had with her and valued our friendship and correspondence over the years. Robin you will truly be missed. Thank you for all you did for my career. May you rest in peace.
Robin was a wonderful person. She helped me in so many ways to reach my dream of being in journalism. I will miss her greatly. Love, ROB
I just took a trip home to Connecticut and visited SCSU, my old college campus. I was so pleased to see Ms. Glassman’s name still on the board for the Journalism school. I decided to write her to tell her how her advice has impacted me over the years. She was such a good advisor and seemed to know which path would be best for me. I learned she had passed away when I looked her up on the Internet. I was so very sorry to hear of her loss. I know it’s been a while now, but I still wanted to write. I met Ms. Glassman when I was a student at Southern in 1987. She advised me until I graduated in 1991. Her gentle way calmed my nervousness and anxiety about my future. She led me to scholarship opportunties and asked me questions that made me vocalize a lot of what had been going through my mind. I always left her office with confidence. Because of my education at SCSU and Ms. Glassman’s advice, I have had a great career in journalism. My husband’s job has taken us to many places, and there was always a better job waiting for me than the one I left behind. I have written my first book as well, and I now write inspirational articles for a Christian newspaper in Louisville, Ky. I am very blessed to have known Ms. Glassman. A favorite image of her that pops in my mind is her answering the door to her home with her horse-sized dog. I think he was bigger than she was. I am pleased to be one of the many, many people blessed by the person who was Robin Glassman.
Robin, you were one of a kind. My most treasured professor & a truly wonderful friend. The trips to Quebec, Baltimore, NYC, and Houston you made quite memorable. And what a night with Tom Wolfe! Thank you for watching over me. You remain in my heart.