Dawn Heather “Kappie” Robbins (née Charlton)

May 5, 1940 – April 13, 2025

Dawn Heather “Kappie” Robbins passed away peacefully on April 13, 2025, in Forest Grove, Oregon, at the age of 84. Born on May 5, 1940, in Benoni, South Africa, Dawn lived a life marked by resilience, deep faith, and unwavering devotion to her family.

Dawn’s early years were spent in South Africa, where she began school at Benoni Convent, traveling alone by public bus. At age seven, her family moved to Klipfontein, where her father worked as an electrician at the DDT Factory during World War II. She and her sister Pam attended Modderfontein Dynamite Factory School. The family later relocated to Kitwe in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), where her father took a position at the N’Kana Copper Mine. There, Dawn continued her education at Frederick Knapp School and Kitwe High School.

In Kitwe, Dawn met the love of her life, Malcolm David “Mally” Robbins of Luanshya. After dating for two and a half years, they married on September 22, 1962. Mally worked as an auto mechanic at Duly’s Dealership in Kitwe. Their first daughter, Dyneen Val, was born in 1964. Amid growing political unrest in Rhodesia, Dawn and Mally began the process of immigrating to the United States. By the time their second daughter, Andrea Lyn, was born on March 5, 1966, their visas had been approved. Just two months later, on May 15, 1966, they boarded a plane to America with their two young daughters and only 24 pounds of luggage each. They arrived in Los Angeles with $300 and the support of Mally’s brother Don and his wife Sylvia.

The young family settled in Van Nuys, California. Mally found work as an auto mechanic at Holiday Motors while Dawn stayed home to raise their daughters. In time, she joined the workforce as a receptionist at Holiday Motors. In 1980, when Mally was offered a job at Riviera Motors in Hillsboro, Oregon, the couple flew north to explore the opportunity. Upon seeing the lush green landscape of Oregon, Dawn declared, “I’m home.” They moved to Rock Creek and began a new chapter. The two were very proud to become official citizens of the United States of America in 1996.

Over the years, Dawn held several clerical and receptionist positions—including at TB Research in Africa and Heinrich’s Syndicate Brewery—before finding her true calling: caring for children. After retiring from office work, Dawn opened an in-home daycare so she could care for her grandchildren. For ten years, she nurtured more than twenty children with a firm yet loving hand. She took immense joy in teaching them everything from manners to reading and geography. Her daycare kids adored and respected her deeply.

Dawn’s love for children extended far beyond her daycare. She delighted in making handmade hooded bath towels for every new baby born into her family or circle of friends. Her nurturing spirit was evident in every stitch.

A woman of strong faith, Dawn became a follower of Jesus after attending a Billy Graham revival as a teenager in South Africa. Her belief remained steadfast throughout her life and was a source of strength during times of hardship.

Family was the cornerstone of Dawn’s world. She is lovingly remembered by her sister, Pamela Lewis, her daughters and sons-in-law: Dyneen and Ron Polluconi, Andrea and Dave Smith; her grandchildren: Kirstyn and Adam Beyer, Kevin and Lindsay Hehn, Riley and Sarah Smith, Sawyer and Megan Smith; and her great-grandchildren: Aiyden and Luca, Kayden and Kaleb, Callum and Margot.

Dawn was predeceased by her beloved husband Malcolm Robbins; her parents Cecil John Charlton and Irene Stephanie Prior Charlton; her siblings Jillian Charlton Adair, and John Charlton.

Throughout her life, Dawn opened her heart and home to others. She and Mally welcomed two nephews into their family—Michael Robbins for his senior year of high school in 1985 and Kieren “KJ” Adair from 1993 to 1996 after his mother Jill’s tragic passing in a plane crash. Dawn embraced the role of mother figure to KJ with the same love and dedication she gave her daughters.

Dawn cherished memories of childhood summers spent in East London on the coast of South Africa. She fondly recalled riding her bike to school through pouring rain or pedaling to work at the brewery dressed in stockings and heels. These stories were shared often with warmth and humor.

Dawn’s greatest joy was watching her family grow across generations. She often said that each grandchild was “the cherry on top of the cake of life.” Living long enough to see six great-grandchildren filled her with awe and gratitude. Though she expressed sadness at not meeting future great-grandbabies, she found peace knowing she had left behind a legacy of love.

Dawn ended every conversation with her daughters and grandchildren with the words: “Angels watching over you.” Her voice will echo in those words forever.

A memorial service honoring Dawn’s life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Calvary Chapel Worship Center in Hillsboro, Oregon.

May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her—and may angels watch over those she loved so dearly.

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