Pennie Lynn Robertson's Obituary
Pennie Lynn Robertson, age 83, of Spring Lake, passed away at home on November 2, 2025.
Born on July 31, 1942, in Harbor Beach, Michigan, Pennie was the youngest of seven children born to Earl and Stella (MacKichan) English. She attended Grace Nursing School in Detroit, where she met the love of her life, Gary Robertson, while he was attending medical school at Wayne State University. Pennie was on the Queen’s Court at the Grace Hospital Cotillion Ball and was introduced to Gary by her dear friend Penny Harvey. He became her date for the Ball, — and so began their lifelong love story.
Pennie and Gary were married for 62 years and shared an extraordinary life together. After being married in Harbor Beach, their journey took them to Royal Oak, where Gary completed his medical internship, to South Dakota during his service in the U.S. Air Force, and then to New Orleans while he completed his residency and specialty training at Tulane and Charity Hospital. In 1969, they settled in Grand Haven when Gary established his OB/GYN practice at North Ottawa Community Hospital and where they built an incredible life, raised their family, and became deeply rooted in the community.
Pennie was devoted to her family—a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and Gary raised three children: Heather Robertson (Hendrik Basson), Holly Johnson (Erick), and Gray Robertson (Amy). She was also the proud grandmother of Annica Robertson (Michael), Kai Robertson, Amber Bray, Madelynn Johnson (Mike Szajnowski), Ian Johnson (Bethany Jewison), Kate Robertson, and McKeathan Robertson, and the adoring great-grandmother of Chase and Aspen Robertson. The Robertson family always had dogs – and Pennie especially loved their current pup, Molly.
Pennie was known for her warmth, grace, and wicked sense of humor. She was a gifted homemaker and an exceptional entertainer—renowned for her cooking, her beautiful table settings, and her legendary homemade bread and pecan rolls. An avid collector of English antiques, Pennie had a refined eye for beauty and created a home filled with love and charm. Her friendships were deep and spanned decades--she knew how to find special people and hold them close. Lynn, Penny and curiously, many of them were named Nancy!
She gave back to her community in countless ways as a volunteer, committee member, and cherished friend. The Tri-Cities Family YMCA held a special place in her heart—particularly its Early Childhood Center, which will be named in honor of the Robertson family.
Pennie and Gary shared a lifelong love of travel, exploring the world together and creating countless memories with family vacations along the way. As her backyard for years, the peace and solitude of Duncan Woods brought her comfort and joy.
Pennie is survived by her beloved husband, Gary; her children and grandchildren; her great-grandchildren; her sisters, Joann Hargraves, Judy Schlabach and special cousin, MaryJane Balcueva as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Marion Henderson, Norma Harris, Tillie Krause, and Alton English as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Kay Robertson.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Erika for her loving care over the past year, as well as to the compassionate team of caregivers from Comfort Keepers and Harbor Hospice. Though Pennie valued her privacy, she deeply appreciated the kindness and dedication of those who cared for her.
A Celebration of Life will be held 4:00 PM Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Spring Lake Country Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Y for All Capital Campaign at the Tri-Cities Family YMCA in Grand Haven or to the M. Gary MD and Pennie Robertson Endowed Scholarship at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
The family is being served by The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
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