Robin Collier Ferris

Robin C. Ferris, passed away peacefully at her residence in Bartow, FL on July 4th 2017. She was 69, just six months from her 70th birthday. Robin will be remembered for her smile, wit and will to live a normal life despite her disability of quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Robin was born December 20, 1947 in Ft Lauderdale, FL, two months early and weighing in at 3 lbs 9ozs. She was the oldest of five children of the late Robert and Alma Ferris. Robin is survived by her siblings, Mary Webb, Rick Ferris and Leslie Haughney; and their spouses, Robin Ferris and Bob Haughney; nephews and nieces, Paris Webb, Devon Webb, Alison Wargo and Forrest Ferris, and their spouses Jill Webb and Bob Wargo; and grand nephews and nieces: Robbie Webb, Katie Webb, and Paige Wargo. Also, close family friends, Paul and Mary Ann Noga of Lakeland, FL. The family would also like to acknowledge the Sunrise Community of Polk County for their excellent care of Robin for over the past 20 years. She enjoyed living independently at her group home in Lakeland and attending her Week-Day program which she called her “work”. Robin also loved her annual Easter Seals Camp Challenge outings in Sorrento, FL. Robin’s favorite activities were arts and crafts, especially her liquid embroidery and Wheely ART, a nice meal and a cold beer or nice glass of wine with lunch out with family. Robin also enjoyed helping others, to include helping prepare family meals, feeding her roommates, and being a translator between other campers and the new counselors at camp. Robin was considered an honorary counselor. A celebration of Robin’s life will be held at the Heath Funeral Chapel, Lakeland, FL on 23 July at noon followed by internment at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL on 24 July. For those wishing to honor Robin’s memory, the family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations should be to the Sunrise Community of Polk County. www.sunrisegroup.org, 807 N Lake Parker Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801. Sunrise Community is a 502C3 charity. 863-688-9671.