Vanae Rowley Robinson

Vanae Rowley Robinson

Residence- Orem, UT

DOB - 12/14/1939

Death - 10/20/2025

Vanae was born the first of 10 children to Arden LaVar and Alene Terry Rowley in Provo, UT, and was the best big sister ever!

Later in life she met Jim Robinson through his sister Margaret Kitchen. Although it was not love at first sight, Vanae’s feelings quickly grew, and she and Jim were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 12, 1959.

Vanae loved movies, especially musicals. She had many opportunities to not only instill this love in her children but also to share this enthusiasm with children in the community as she worked at the Scera Theater for 40 years. As she had her own fond memories of the theater growing up, this was a job she cherished.

While she loved working at the theater, Vanae was a woman of many talents. She was a business owner and beautician in her own shop, “Vanae’s Beauty Shop”. She also loved working with her brother and sister side-by-side at the Village Shoemaker and later alongside Robert Glazier. It was working with Robert from which she retired before her and Jim’s mission in 2002.

Though lovingly labeled a cheater by family and friends alike, Vanae loved playing games her entire life. This love was another she passed to her children, grandchildren, and anyone they brought through her doors for a visit.

Many of her talents and interests brought warmth and joy to those around her. She loved to bake bread and often had a warm loaf for her kids when they got home from school with real butter and homemade jam. She loved going square dancing with her mom and dad, and her kids loved to fight over who wore her outfits for Halloween. She also enjoyed making many homemade candies and treats at Christmas time, including fruit cake and windowpane cookies, English Toffee, and her special fudge. From a very young age, she loved camping and took her own family often.

She has a deep love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

She served in multiple callings throughout the years. But one of her highlights was serving a full-time mission with her sweetheart Jim at Cove Fort, UT. She loved to serve and was the perfect example of ministering in the Lord's Way.

Her testimony never, ever waivered, and we all knew that.

Vanae is survived by her 7 children and their spouses: Colette (Dennis) Rogers Ashton, ID; Shauna (Eric) Gillespie - Poulsbo, WA; Denise (Bruce) Dewey - Rock Springs, WY; Richard (Celese) Robinson - Brentwood, CA; Arden (Dawn) Robinson - Canon City, CO; Craig (Xochitl) Robinson- Washington Terrace, UT; and Stephanie (Eric) Adams - Hooper, UT, 5 sisters: Evelyn Stevens, Beverly McKay, Christine Mitchell, Isabel Rowley, and Terrilynne Maxfield, 1 brother-in-law Don Robinson, as well 29 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren whom she loved so much.

She is now reunited in death with her sweetheart Jim, her parents and In-laws Lorin Albert and Maude Ashley Robinson, her younger siblings LaVar, LaMar, LaVon, her favorite brother Dennis Rowley, her best friend and sister Arlene Gammon, and grandchildren Gavin, William, James, Clark, Charlie, and Angel.

Her family would like to express deepest gratitude to the staff at Chancellor Gardens, where she spent the last 2 years of her life, also to Utah Home Health and Hospice, specifically Hannah, McKayla, Melanie, and Kirsten. Thank you for providing such loving and tender service to our Mother. She loved you all very much!!

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:00 am in the Old 4th Ward LDS chapel located at 575 South 400 West, Orem, UT. A viewing will be held Sunday Evening, October 26, 2025, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, located at 495 South State Street in Orem, UT, and on Monday, prior to the service, from 9:30-10:30 am at the Church. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Charity of your choice.

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