E. Mae Robinson - Wickford

E. Mae (Sowden) Robinson, 99, formerly of Union Village, North Smithfield, and Wickford, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, at The Miriam Hospital in Providence.

She was the wife of the late Harry Robinson. Born in North Providence, she was the daughter of the late Harry P. and Ethel (Hartley) Sowden of Yorkshire, England, who founded YE OLDE ENGLISH Fish and Chips in Woonsocket in 1922. After a short business career in New York City and later in Worcester, Mass., she and her husband returned to Woonsocket in 1946 to operate and continue the family legacy of YE OLDE ENGLISH upon the retirement of her father. She continued working until the age of 96.

Mrs. Robinson was a graduate of Woonsocket High School and in 1931 she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryant College. Mae was once an avid golfer and was a former member of Wachusett Country Club and Woonsocket Country Club and was a charter member of Kirkbrae Country Club. Further, she was a member of the North Smithfield Garden Club, a former volunteer for the Woonsocket Hospital Aid Organization and a former parishioner of St. James Episcopal Church.

She leaves a son, Gordon Robinson and his wife Elaine of Smithfield and Wickford, and three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Private funeral arrangements were held under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Elder Care, Winslow Gardens, 40 Erving Ave., East Providence, RI 02914 or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Rhode Island Branch, 2374 Post Road, Suite 203, Warwick, RI 02886.

www.holtfuneralhome.com