Shirley Brown Robinson, Former Press Publisher, Dies At 89

Shirley Brown Robinson

Shirley Brown Robinson of Southampton and Portland, Oregon, a descendant of the founder and former owner of The Southampton Press and numerous Long Island newspapers, died Friday, January 28, in Portland. She was 89.

Ms. Robinson was a descendant of Walter Rogers Burling, whose family founded The Press and The East Hampton Star in the 1800s. She and her former husband, William Read Robinson, published The Press until the 1970s.

“Brownie,” as she was known, was born on the Fourth of July, 1921, at Southampton Hospital, and graduated from Southampton High School. She was a member of the Smith College class of 1943.

“She was a pretty simple girl who enjoyed her family,” her daughter said. “She knew she had a good life and was grateful.”

Ms. Robinson is survived by her son, Peter Burling Robinson, of Southampton; her daughter and son-in-law, Leslie Read Robinson Sharp and William Sharp of Portland, Oregon; and her granddaughters Emily Dawson Sharp of Seattle, Washington, and Clair Burling Sharp of Tacoma, Washington.

At Ms. Robinson’s request, there will be no funeral services. A memorial gathering is planned for later this year. Her ashes are to be scattered at sea.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to: Rogers Memorial Library, 91 Coopers Farm Road, Southampton NY 11968; Peconic Land Trust, P.O. Box 1776, Southampton NY 11969; or Housecall Providers Hospice Inc., 4531 SE Belmont, Suite 250, Portland OR 97215.