Comments on: Passing of a scholarly friend

By: Terry Anderson

Terry Anderson — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:49:43 +0000

Sorry for the inaccuracies on the cause of Robin’s death, and thanks for the detail Cecilia. I would love to join you, but imagine you are talking face-to-face in Ontario on the 23rd?. Unfortunately, I will be in home in Alberta on that date.
Best
Terry

By: Cecilia Ignatieff

Cecilia Ignatieff — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:06:51 +0000

Dear Terry, I am Robin’s sister. I will be hosting a day of remembrance on July 23 from 2:00 pm. onwards. My tel.no. is 905-344-7452 , if any Canadians who wish to join us would please contact me. By the way, Robin died of secondary complications (pneumonia) following radiotherapy on a rare brain tumour that was non-malignant. The tumour was found several years ago, the gamma-knife surgery was last October. She was active until March 20, when the swelling in her brain caused many side-effects. A lovely tribute appeared in the Guardian today. Wonderful how beloved she was. Yours, Cecilia Ignatieff

By: Bonnie Luterbach

Bonnie Luterbach — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:29:25 +0000

Such very sad news. Robin was a dedicated researcher and contributed much to the field she loved. She will be missed by her many friends around the globe.

As one of my advisors for my doctoral studies from the British Open University, Robin was challenging, always encouraging, and very supportive in so many ways. For example, she kindly agreed to an invitation to present at one of our earlier Manitoba Association of Distributed Learning and Training (MADLaT) conferences during this period. Later, when I was in England, she welcomed me into her lovely home, surrounded by a beautiful garden. Robin enjoyed gardening. She used the stipend from the MADLaT conference for a rose trallis in her garden – a lasting memory.

Robin’s mother lived in Winnipeg for a time. One summer during my studies we met on our sailboat at Victoria Beach on Lake Winnipeg, where Robin was visiting. That evening, coloured northern lights danced and flashed across the lake. Ever since, when ever I see the northern lights I think of Robin.

My sympathies go out to her family for their great loss.

By: Remembering Robin Mason « Open Education News

Remembering Robin Mason « Open Education News — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:31:02 +0000

[...] 18, 2009 · Leave a Comment Terry Anderson and Martin Weller both have posts regarding the passing of Robin Mason. Mason worked at the British [...]

By: anjorinjnr

anjorinjnr — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:49:57 +0000

Just want to say sorry for this great loss.

Her good works will remain for ever.

By: Richard Schwier

Richard Schwier — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:28:24 +0000

Robin was kind enough to arrange for a visit to Open University for me in 2005. What a gracious and welcoming colleague! I didn’t get to see her on that occasion, but enjoyed the other times when we met. Along with so many other colleagues and friends, I was saddened to hear about this. She has had an important influence on the direction of distance learning in the Commonwealth and elsewhere, but it was her warmth and humanity that comes to mind today.

By: Alex Kuskis

Alex Kuskis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:47:15 +0000

I am so sorry to hear about Robin’s too soon passing. I remember her as an early leader in online learning and I read her work with enthusiasm.

Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages;
- Shakespeare, Cymbeline, IV, ii

By: Anne Forster

Anne Forster — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:30:54 +0000

This is indeed sad news and devastating to lose such a beautiful colleague in the prime of her life. Robin’s contributions and participation in Australian education were generous and influential. We will miss her and will never forget her warmth and that great smile. Our sympathy goes out to her family and friends in this untimely loss.

By: Loretta Teng

Loretta Teng — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:00:02 +0000

I just think it is a big loss for the e-learning society. In memory, we will always remember her contributions.

By: Annette Odell

Annette Odell — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:56:17 +0000

Strength, humour, good nature, grace, wisdom were all so much a core part of the Robin that we’ve lost. I’m grateful to you for articulating it so clearly and truthfully when we are all at a loss for words.