Robin Lynn was born on January 19, 1961 at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was brought home to a loving family by Dale and Loretta Crittenden, who had been trying unsuccessfully to start a family for several years. Ten months (and 23 days) later, Robin's sister Gina was born into the family; and a loving sisterly friendship was started that continued for 60 years.
The small family was raised in the east Tulsa neighborhood of Crescent Heights, near 11th and Mingo. This middle-class collection of homes had many young families, whose parents worked in the surrounding area near Tulsa Airport. Robin and Gina grew up in a neighborhood full of kids about their own age, establishing many life-long friendships along the way. Dale worked in Stores for American Airlines (later retiring in 1989 after 41 years). Loretta worked several jobs herself, including J.C. Penney and managing the books at Dean's Camper Sales; but her primary role was to raise her two daughters in a God-loving, Christian and loving family. It was said that when the girls were older, other friends' parents would often ask if "the Crittenden girls" were being allowed to go to a party or gathering before giving their own child permission.
The family attended Sheridan Christian Center, which helped to shape Robin's Christian faith. The church was known for its spirituality; several pastors and members later went on to the establish large churches of their own. Robin and Gina were particularly close to Billy Joe and Sharon Daugherty, who had started their ministry at Sheridan as youth ministers. From this time came an unshakeable belief in Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and a knowledge of where she would spend eternity.
As Robin was growing up, her Dad's employment at American Airlines gave an opportunity for the family to travel. Hawaii, Germany and Disneyland were among the destinations. Through this came a love of seeing new things and an interest in history...decades later when she stood on the ground level of the Coliseum in Rome, looking upward, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
After attending Walter Reed and Lewis & Clark Elementary Schools, Robin went on to graduate from East Central High School in 1979, followed by the University of Tulsa in 1982. After a projected career in the oil industry fell through, she landed an auditing position with Touche Ross. She later worked at First National Bank and Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Later in her career, Robin then returned to Deloitte (the successor to Touche Ross), where she finished her working career in 2015. By then, her career path had shifted into being a patient accounting software consultant, which blended all the different parts of her life's employment.
In 1984, she was married to Jeff Chism (for 17 years) and they had two awesome sons; Paul (Blake) in 1988 and Drew in 1990. The family resided in east Tulsa, later moving to Lawton, OK. During this time, Robin became associated with Lawton Christian School, first in the office, later setting up their computer lab, and finally as a teacher. Robin's spiritual beliefs became stronger; she discovered that she had a God-given ability to support and comfort others, based on the bedrock of her faith. She could always provide the right words at the right time, sometimes including difficult advice, in the most loving way possible.
Robin, later remarried John Baron in 2001...becoming a Bonus Mom to Nicole, Heather, Andrea and Christopher. She lovingly accepted a larger role; leading by example and becoming the Christian rock for the entire blended family. As she entered what turned out to be the last chapter of her life, she transitioned into the role of Mimi, ultimately to include 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In the last few years, Robin got to travel and experience many of her lifelong dreams. A beach was always one of her favorite destinations (the 85-degree rule), but she declared that Alaska was one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen...and that it was a testament to God's creation. She climbed to the top of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, posed beneath the Eifel Tower at night while the strobe lights were going off, celebrated a birthday party in Cabo San Lucas, stood in the Rome Coliseum, ate pierogis in a street cafe in Warsaw, rode the high-speed TGV train in France, flew on a helicopter to the top of glacier in Alaska, shared a bucket of mussels drizzled with camembert cheese on the Normandy coast, watched a lightning storm off the coast of Malta at night, stood on the top of the cliffs in Santorini at dawn, learned how to shell and eat blue crabs in Ocean City, MD...and cruised to dozens of other locations along the way.
Robin was taken away from us all too soon. However, she maintained her unwavering faith in her God throughout all the years of the cancer treatment. When she received word this past January that her time was running short, her acceptance and beauty only increased. On her last day, as family members were calling in to say goodbye, her final unselfish act was to close her eyes and pray for them as they wept. We have no doubt where Robin is today. Through her example, we all follow her and be reunited with her one day.
Robin's legacy will continue through her sons: Paul Blake (Maggie) Chism and Andrew Kyle (Leigh Anne) Chism, of Little Rock, Arkansas. Her bonus children: Nicole (Kevin) Nix, Heather (Jake) Thurman, Andrea (Jess) Kramer and Christopher (Valerie) Baron, all of the Tulsa area; 12 grandchildren: Madison, Devanie, Jett, Max, Alexandria, Kamrynn, Mary Martin, Willow, Grace Abbott, Sulamith, Paul Blake Jr., (Chip) and Chicory; two great-grandchildren: Rylend and Daxtyn; her sister, Gina Kay (Scott) Johnson; as well as Jeff (Teresa) Chism of Broken Arrow, OK.
The family asks anyone who wishes to do so to please donate to the University of Texas - Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center in Robin Baron's name to support the breast cancer retreat program. Robin and John had attended one of the retreats in 2019 and it immensely helped prepare them spiritually and emotionally for what was to come; they were both deeply touched by the experience. The hospital's donation link is: https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu/donate-now . In the Special Instructions text box, please enter "Support Services Breast Cancer Retreat".
A very big thank you to the professional team of doctors, nurses and caregivers at UTSW Health System facilities in Dallas and Fort Worth. The care and compassion shown for Robin over the course of her cancer journey was tremendous and could best be described as God's love placing the right people in the right place at the right time.
Finally, a quiet thank you to a young woman named Susanne, who made the decision to place her unborn daughter up for adoption in 1961. While the circumstances surrounding it will never be known, it was a momentous choice which impacted many lives...and one for which we are eternally grateful.
There will be a viewing at 10am - 8pm Tuesday July 20th with family visitation from 5 - 7pm. A Celebration of life will be at 10am Wednesday, July 21st. Both will be at Moore Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st St. Tulsa, Oklahoma.