Published in Patriot-News on October 19, 2011
Harrisburg PA


Shirley Mae Gernert Robbins, 82, died October 17, 2011 in Camp Hill,
Pennsylvania.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22nd,
at 11:30 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 51 West Main Street, Newville,
PA 17241. Immediately following the service, approximately 1:30 p.m.,
all are welcome to a reception at Ridge Hall at Green Ridge Village on
Big Spring Road, in Newville.  Shirley was born and raised in Somerville,
New Jersey, daughter to Margaret and Eugene Gernert. She graduated from
New Jersey College for Women (now Douglass College). She returned to
her alma mater as an instructor of Microbiology and later worked as an
accountant for Mack Trucks. Shirley was active throughout her life in
conservation, environmental and social service organizations. She was
a Girl Scout leader in Bridgewater, New Jersey and for several years
the director of the summer program at Camp Agnes Dewitt in Hillsborough
New Jersey. Shirley loved to travel across the country and around the
world from the Yangtze River to the Galapagos Islands. She enjoyed
bird-watching, adventure travel, camping, opera, ballet and playing
bridge. In retirement she moved to Pennsylvania where she continued as
an avid bird watcher, conservation educator and board member of the John
Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. At Green Ridge Village she volunteered at
the thrift store and in the gift shop.  Shirley is survived by her sister
Adele Westman, her brother Eugene Gernert, her companion William Church,
four daughters, Catherine Robbins, Marilyn Robbins, Carol Robbins, and
Melanie Collins, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  In lieu of
flowers, a memorial fund has been set up in the name of Shirley Robbins
at the Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington,
VA 22203, USA, (800) 628-6860. www.pennlive.com/obits