Robin Irene Flaherty

WESTBROOK – Our beloved daughter, sister, and Auntie Bubba passed peacefully in her home on March 5, 2025, surrounded by those who loved her. Forty-six years ago, Robin’s arrival changed the trajectory of our lives forever and made our family stronger, all in a good way. She led a truly remarkable life, touching the hearts of everyone she met. Robin never said a harsh word or had malicious intent…ever. “Wise guy”, yes; “mean guy”, no way.

Small in stature, big in personality, her smile lit up a room. She was witty and sarcastic (she gets that from her father), ever-ready with some sassy comeback. Her one liners always made us laugh. “You can’t make me what to do” and “ I have two words for you… ri-diculous” are family favorites and still repeated to this day.

Robin was the middle daughter to two sisters who included her in everything. From neighborhood shenanigans to involvement with sports, she was in the thick of it all. Starting kindergarten in the Gorham school system, she was in the first Functional Life Skills program with a mainstreaming component and later part of their first Special Olympics team. Robin was an athlete, annually participating in the Maine summer and winter Special Olympic games in track, softball throw and alpine skiing, earning more medals than can be counted. She loved playing basketball, always dressed to the nines with head and wrist bands, looking the part and backing it up with a ‘sweet’ shot. In high school, she was a manager of the varsity field hockey, basketball and softball teams. Graduating with the GHS class of 1997, her education gave her the tools and the Gorham community gave her the confidence to be successful.

Fiercely independent due to the hard work and dedication of her mother, in 2000 she moved to a group home in Falmouth supported by Residential Resources. She never looked back. Robin eventually settled with her lifelong friend and “buddy”, Nicole, in South Portland and later in Westbrook. They were not just roommates they were best of friends…family. Robin was immensely proud of being an employee of Hannaford for 22 years (an award-winning bagger) before she retired due to failing health.

Robin loved WWE, Tom Brady, and country music, with Reba and Tim McGraw topping the list. She loved sunsets, French fries, hot dogs, sauteed onions and Doritos and Pepsi (a Friday night tradition). She loved dancing…if there was music, Robin was moving. She loved art, selling many of her pieces through the Art Department, a program she loved. Creative Trails and later Affinity programs were both a big part of Robin’s social life. The week she spent at Pine Tree Camp was the highlight of Robin’s summer for over 30 years.

To everyone who touched her life, THANK YOU, you know who you are! Classmates, teachers, neighbors, co-workers, staff and friends; you all helped make Robin’s life rich and full. We are forever grateful to Residential Resources for their unwavering love and care during her final year and for the support of Beacon Hospice in her final days.

She is survived by her parents Greg and Jeannie of Woolwich; her “favorite” older sister, Jill (partner Ken Lynam) of Natick Mass.; her “favorite” younger sister Carla (husband Neil Miller) and favorite niece Ember of Salem, Va.

The world will forever be a better place because Robin was a part of it.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Dolby, Blais & Segee Funeral Home with a private spring burial to be held at Hillside Cemetery in Gorham. There will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date.

Should you so desire, please make a donation in Robin’s memory to either Pine Tree Camp or Special Olympics Maine.