Following a difficult illness, borne without complaint over the past two years, past Eastern Bay Community Foundation Trustee and community champion Robyn Towersey passed away on Tuesday the 27th August in the Rotorua Hospice. 

Robyn was well known in the Eastern Bay for her ability to extract sponsorship and cash from every strata of the community. She was a 'roll your sleeves up and get stuck in...' kind of gal! A silly hat, pyjama's and gumboots have all played a part in encouraging others to part with their funds. Daffodil Day, Pink Ribbon Breakfast campaigns, Starship Hospital, Child Cancer, Hospice and Project Hope ( our Cancer Centre here in Whakatane) have all benefited from her willingness and enthusiasm to raise funds. 

Robyn served on the Opotiki Health Trust, was a foundation member and held many leadership roles within Quota International in Opotiki and chartered the Ohope Beach Quota Club. Robyn was a driving force on the team to build Project Hope and stayed on as a volunteer to build and maintain the gardens, as well as co-ordinate the volunteers in the oncology day stay to meet, greet and calm patients as they arrived. Robyn also held the position of secretary / treasurer for the Ohope Charter Club. For the past 13 years she has co-ordinated the Look Good Feel Better volunteers to deliver quality programs here in the Eastern Bay, for anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis.

Robyn was first diagnoised with breast cancer over 40 years ago, whilst juggling a young family and a hospitality business. She has faced further health challenges since that time, and met them with determination and grit. She nursed her late husband, well known musician, Jim until his death three years ago. 

Robyn stepped down as a Trustee of the Community Foundation, when she moved to Rotorua to be closer to family in 2017.  Her thoughtfulness, generosity and committment to making a difference lives on through the fund she set up to assist Look Good Feel Better continue to deliver the educational make-over experiences throughout New Zealand that she has participated in, volunteered for and for which she has been a committed advocate and fundraiser. 

Robyn was funny, spontaneous, pushed the boundaries, thought outside the box, called a spade a spade and had the biggest, most generous heart. Her legacy will live on forever through her fund.  The Foundation Trustees express real sadness at her passing.