Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Sarasota FL; 2012-7-11


Jeanne Robbins
Jan. 16, 1917 - July 4, 2012
Jeanne Robbins Twaskas, formerly of Rahway, NJ, passed away on July 4,
2012 in Sarasota, Florida. Jeanne was born on January 16, 1917 in Franklin
Lakes, NJ. to John and Julia Robbins. She is predeceased by her husband
of 44 years, Anthony, and by her son, Robert. She is survived by her
daughter, Judy Reskow and son-in-law, Daniel Reskow, of Longboat Key,
FL; daughter-in-law Joyce Toronye Twaskas of Scotch Plains, NJ; grandsons
Jeffrey (Bess) Twaskas; James (Kathy) Twaskas; and Brian Reskow and four
great grandchildren. As a young girl, Jeanne lived in Elizabeth, NJ. with
her sister, Mary Robbins, and her half-sisters, Ann and Kathryn Chezik
and half-brother, William Chezik. She married Anthony Twaskas in 1940
and moved to Linden, NJ. where she gave birth to Robert and Judy. Not one
to be idle, Jeanne dabbled in real estate and the stock market and kept
herself busy by working at various jobs. In their later years, Tony and
Jeanne moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, but later returned to New Jersey
to live in Linden and Rahway. Jeanne will be remembered in Linden, NJ,
as the woman who integrated the Linden Retired Men's Club in 1989. She
saw the existence of both a men's and a women's club at Linden's Gregorio
Recreation Center as segregation of the sexes and she made her objections
known to fellow members. Those members ventured that it would take only
the challenge of one courageous woman to initiate integration of the sexes
and Jeanne picked up the challenge! She submitted her application to the
Men's Club, was accepted, and finally became the Secretary of the Men's
Club! The Elizabeth Daily Journal ran an article on her efforts entitled
"She's a gutsy lady" on November 17, 1989. Jeanne moved to Sarasota, FL,
in 1999 and lived in her own condominium on Longboat Key until January of
2012 when, at the age of 95, she decided to move to an assisted living
facility, Alderman Oaks. The last few months of her life were joyous
and wonderful and made more so by the fact that she made many friends
in Alderman Oaks who showered her with love and attention. Internment
at Hazelwood Cemetery in Rahway, NJ on August 4, 2012.