“Komen Chicagoland Survivor loses battle to breast cancer, but her strength and impact motivates us to keep fighting everyday to find the cures”

Robin Conyers 8/31/1955 – 12/5/2009

A quote from our Chicagoland board member and Race Chair, Linda Borton:

The first time I heard Robin speak at the Race for the Cure she mesmerized all those who heard her.  Her strength, passion, and courage carried a message that touched us all.  The Komen "family" has lost a friend and influential voice. 

I met Robin through Komen and feel personally privileged to have known her.  She was bright, articulate, successful and seemed to have beaten breast cancer, only to have it insidiously come back with a vengeance.  As a fellow survivor, I was struck by her courage, hope, grace and sense of humor in the face of her disease.   She was an inspiration to me, and will continue to inspire me to do everything that I can to help find a cure.  Linda Borton

The full Obituary:

CONYERS, Robin B., age 54, formerly of Petersburg, Va., departed this life on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at their home in Glenview, Illinois with her devoted husband by her side. Robin's life and personality were as a multifaceted diamond, as they shone brightly and made a lasting impression on all whom she met. Robin was private, strong-willed, self-motivated and hard working. Although she was the consummate professional and liked everything first-class, Robin was also compassionate, giving and immeasurably loyal to family and friends. Robin was Area Vice President of Central Retail Sales, U.S. Biscuit Division of Kraft Food. She is survived by her husband, Moses Braxton Jr.; her parents, Francis N. and Otelia Jones Barboza of Petersburg; a brother, Francis Barboza Jr. of Petersburg; six sisters, Paulette Edmonds (Glasco) and Dominga Barboza of Richmond, Cheryl and Lauren Barboza, and Carla Bradley (Howard), all of Petersburg, and Alicia Fortune (Michael) of Norcross, Ga.; five sisters-in-law, Brenda Anderson, Gwendolyn B. Plymouth, Jacquelin Jones, Valerie Braxton-Williams (Howard) and Bonita Braxton Trusty (George); a host of other relatives and friends; two devoted friends, Jacqui Grant and Kathey Stone. Robin was a jewel and we celebrate her life and thank God for the years we shared with her on this side. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, at the Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, 613 E. Wythe Street, Petersburg, Va. 23803. The family may be contacted at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Barboza, 1919 Coggin Street, Petersburg, Va. 23805, phone # (804) 861-9174.