Roberta Jean Preston

Roberta (Robin) J. Preston, 82, of Edmonds Washington passed away peacefully Friday, March 18th at her Edmonds home surrounded by family. She was born April 24, 1933 in Petersburg, Alaska to George, a Norwegian born fisherman, and fellow Norwegian Eline Jensen. Robin spent numerous summers working on her fathers boat along with her sister Rosie. The family settled in Ballard where Robin graduated from Ballard High. She attended the University of Washington, was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and upon graduation received a pre-law degree. Robin was one of two women to graduate from the University of Washington - School of Law in 1956. Truly, she was a pioneer for women entering the legal field in the 1950s. Soon after graduation, she opened her own law office in Ballard and later worked for Bernice Jonson at Jonson Jonson. Robin had two children, Judy and Allison, with her first husband, John Harold Carter. John died in March of 1962. Through the practice of law Robin met her second husband, fellow lawyer Peter D. Preston. Peter and Robin were married 44 years and had three children; David, Ron and Dianne. The family moved to Edmonds in 1972 and owned a home on Lake Ballinger. Peter and Robin developed a family practice, Preston Preston, near Northgate for over 25 years. After their retirement they enjoyed traveling together, often to Mexico with friends and to Austin, Texas to visit with their daughter Dianne and Peters friends from the University of Texas Law School. Robins favorite travel destination was someplace warm. Robins family spent holidays and vacations together, first in Sacramento every summer at her sister Rosies and then later trips to Lake Tahoe where they rented a house near the lake. Robin loved to sunbathe with a book and usually had a suntan year round. Robin is survived by her older sister Nancy Jensen of Menlo Park and husband Norm Conradsen, younger sister Roselene (Rosie) Kelley of Sacramento, California and husband Richard (Dick) Kelley, her children Judy Shotwell and husband Steve, Allison Carter, David Preston, Ronald Preston and wife Kimberly, Dianne Bangle and husband Shannon. Robin has eleven grandchildren: Michelle, Nichole, Erik, Daniel, Carson, Casey, Jensen, Eleanor, Henry, William and Georgia. She has three great-grandchildren: Jamieson, Nevaeh and Jenna. Robin valued integrity, restraint and the power of words. She was a source of strength and wisdom to her family. Her faith was steadfast and her wit unrivaled. Robin wrote and recited poetry throughout her life. We will miss you Robin. Life is a song. A Memorial service will be held at the Edmonds Plaza Room from 11AM-1PM on Saturday, April 23rd at the Edmonds Plaza Room, 650 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 98020.