Eugena Robinson, 89, of Margate, FL  passed away on September 28, 2025. Eugena Leadora Robinson (nee Atkins) was an Early Childhood Educator for over 50 years. Eugena's passion for education is reflected in her service in three countries, spanning locations from classrooms to teachers' colleges and universities. Moreover, she held several high-profile roles, including education officer and supervisor, teacher trainer, lecturer, education consultant, and external examiner. Her peers described her as "an inspired leader, a meticulous planner, a talented coordinator, a motivator, and a facilitator." However, her family remembers her as wise, kind, generous, gentle, and family-focused.

Eugena was born to Eugene and Mulvina Atkins in the village of Berkshire, in the parish of Westmoreland, in rural western Jamaica in 1936.  Raised as an Anglican in a nurturing Christian home, Eugena credits her early spiritual development to her paternal grandmother, affectionately known by everyone as "Aunty Mary."

Eugena attended Dundee Elementary School in Westmoreland before training at Mico Teachers' College in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1959.  Her teaching career began at Jack's River in the parish of St. Mary.  There, Eugena met and married Lincoln Robinson in 1961.

Their union produced three children whose achievements were always celebrated by their parents. Lancelot, the eldest, earned a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and is a trader in the financial markets in Florida.  Jacqueline, a Nurse Consultant residing in Florida, specializes in the managed care/health insurance markets and holds a Master's degree in Health Administration. Their youngest, Peter, is the owner of the Books, Stationery, and Supplies store in Port Maria, St. Mary, Jamaica, and he holds an MBA in Finance.

After marrying, Lincoln served as a principal at another school before studying law in London, England. During this time, Eugena was hired as a classroom teacher and assigned to a special project at Star Lane Primary School in East London, in an area underserved in education.

Contrary to expectations, Mrs. Robinson successfully demonstrated that the British Infant School Model could work in an under-resourced school (equivalent to an inner-city school). Of a class of 39 students aged six to seven years old, 100% achieved full literacy.

Always putting her family first, she returned to Jamaica in the mid-1970s after her husband passed his bar exam. She worked for the Ministry of Education as a trainer and supervisor to teachers. Between 1974 and 2003, she played a pivotal role in implementing several programs and initiatives that improved Early Childhood and Primary Education.

Eugena earned a Certificate in Education from the University of the West Indies and subsequently a Bachelor's degree in Education with a major in Early Childhood Education in 1983. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science degree with a major in Early Childhood and Primary Education from Nova Southeastern University in Florida (1990-1992).

In 2017, the North Coast Times newspaper honored her many achievements. Eugena cited the North Coast Project (NCP) at Passley Gardens Teachers College, where she was an assistant lecturer in Early Childhood Education from 1987 to 1993, as one of the most successful training programs ever conducted in Jamaica.

Mrs. Robinson authored several educational publications: Understanding Mathematics in Early Childhood, Mathematics Can Be Fun, Developing My Thinking Skills, and The Way to Reading. She also co-authored a Training Manual for Early Childhood Trainers.

Even after she retired from her role as a Senior Education Officer in 1996, Eugena continued to serve as a contractor with the Ministry of Education, where she spent six years as the National Integrative Coordinator, earning a UNICEF award for her outstanding performance.

Mrs. Robinson migrated to Florida in 2003. There, she continued to leverage her decades of experience to help save a school in North Lauderdale, which was facing closure due to two failed attempts at accreditation. She was hired as Assistant Director and Lead Teacher in the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten program, and she supported the school's efforts to achieve full accreditation. Eugena described that period as "one of excellence," and the school's success was her personal reward.

After her husband died in 2009, Mrs. Robinson served as an External Examiner under the University of the West Indies Joint Board of Teacher Education, assessing the performance of various Teacher Colleges that offered Early Childhood Diplomas.

In 2013, she was proudly awarded the Prime Minister of Jamaica's Medal of Appreciation for her over 41 years of service to the government in the field of education.

Moreover, Mrs. Robinson served her community as a Justice of the Peace, a member of the St. Mary Lay Magistrate Association, and as a deeply devoted member of St. Mary Parish Church, where she was a rector's warden, a part-time organist, and a lay reader.

Through aging and health challenges, Eugena always remained a fierce advocate for children's education. She often wrote to the Editor of the Jamaica Gleaner, where her published Letters of the Day were sure to catch the eyes of government officials.

Eugena's success was not by accident. In addition to her commitment to excellence, contributing factors included a supportive family and her knowledge of the Heavenly Father from a young age.

Eugena is survived by her three children, cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and associates. Her only remaining sibling, her sister Bernice, resides in New York.

Please share your memories of Eugena or express condolences to her family through our online guestbook. The online guestbook can be found by scrolling below to the Guestbook box below and clicking on the 'View & Sign' button. You can share your thoughts and memories, upload pictures and/or light a candle.