Ellen-Ann Robinson

Surf City, NC – Ellen-Ann (Thomson) Robinson, 73, of Surf City, North Carolina, and formerly of North Hampton and Litchfield, NH, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by those she loved, on September 22, 2023. Ellen was born in Exeter on July 14, 1950, daughter of the late Dr. James A. Thomson, Sr., and Mary E. (Pluff) Thomson. Ellen was raised in North Hampton and graduated from Winnacunnet High School with the Class of 1968. She attended the University of New Hampshire before leaving school to get married. She and Stephen Robinson, her former husband and father of her children, settled in Litchfield to raise their family. While in Litchfield, Ellen was immersed in the local community. She was very active in the PTA and served in town government as a member of the Planning and Zoning Boards. She also served on the School Board for 20 years in her community. She assisted in several education projects for Alvirne High School, Campbell High School and Litchfield Middle School. She was elected to the State Legislature in 1983 and served her town and state for 5 terms. Children’s education was always a priority in Ellen’s life. As a member of the legislature, Ellen served on the House Education and Appropriations Committees and was instrumental in education funding legislation and legislation establishing state guidelines for home schooling. Upon leaving the legislature, Ellen’s next career was with Hillsborough County, where she served as the Director of Health and Human Services until her retirement in 2015. After her retirement, Ellen relocated to Martinez, CA to help care for her grandchildren. Never one to sit idle, she volunteered her time with the library at her granddaughter’s school, reading to the children and assisting them with the selection and checking out of books. In 2019, Ellen moved to North Carolina to spend time with the east coast side of her family. Ellen’s hobbies include quilting, needlepoint and sewing, and gifted many of her handcrafted items to family and friends. She was an outstanding cook and an amazing baker, often honing her skills by attending culinary classes. She enjoyed hosting huge dinner parties at her home for family and friends and was well-known for her annual Christmas party for many members of the state legislature. She was caring, loving, fair and could be tough when the situation dictated. She was witty and intelligent, a consummate professional in her several careers and a solid, supportive confidant for family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her niece, Dalal Al-Humaidhi. Left to cherish her memory are her children, James Robinson and his wife, Theresa of Candia, NH, Timothy Robinson of Kansas City, MO, Martha Hocutt and her husband, Richard of Concord, NC and Sarah Linayao of Surf City, NC, and her grandchildren, Parker Dunlap, Katelyn Robinson, Alexander Hocutt, Dominick Linayao, and Isabelle Linayao. She also leaves her siblings, Dr. James Thomson, Jr and his wife, Darlene of Santa Monica, CA, Dr. Mary Martha Thomson and her husband, Waleed Al-Humaidhi of North Hampton and Kuwait and Teresa (Terri) Thomson of North Hampton as well as many adored nieces and nephews. Family and friends may visit from 12 to 2 pm on Saturday, November 25, 2023 in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home – Crematory, 811 Lafayette Rd., Hampton. Services will follow the visitation starting at 2 pm in the funeral home. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Hampton Academy/ Winnacunnet High School Alumni Association for their scholarship program at P.O. Box 81, North Hampton, NH 03862 or at www.winnacunnetalumni.org.

Ellen-Ann Robinson

July 14, 1950 - September 22, 2023