Martha M. Whelan Robinson, Formerly of East Hampton, Dies February 7

Dr. Martha Mary Whelan Robinson, who dedicated her life to finding housing for the homeless and the developmentally challenged, and later to expanding literacy education, died at her home in Connersville, Indiana, on February 7. Robinson had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), seven years ago. She was 65.

Robinson, who grew up in East Hampton, moved to Chicago in the early 1980s after graduating from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont. She worked for various community and social services before founding Deborah’s Place, a homeless shelter for women where she served as director. “Martha started this shelter to create a safe place just for women,” said her husband, the Reverend Eric Robinson, whom she married on July 19, 1986.

Later, she became the executive director of a not-for-profit that helped the developmentally challenged transition from life in state institutions into apartments or group living arrangements. As part of that effort, she was named to the Illinois Commission on Social Services, which advised the governor on policy. “Her work was her life,” her husband said. “She cared for others.”

After moving to Indiana, where her husband attended seminary, Robinson, upon learning that her three children were dyslexic, as was she, studied at Ball State University, earning both a master’s degree and then a doctorate in school psychology. She became a licensed school psychologist in Indiana and worked for 10 years in that capacity and was a member of the American Psychological Association.

Robinson also earned a fellowship in the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading and later founded and served as director of the Masonic Learning Center for Children in Indianapolis. Robinson invented a new linguistic approach to teach reading, which is now called the Robinson Reading System.

She also co-founded Fortune Academy, a school for dyslexic children in Indianapolis. After her husband became a Methodist minister, Robinson developed her own ministry in the church and did mission trips to Kenya, inspired by her desire to help children with reading difficulties and began preparing to become a deacon in the church. Robinson also taught at the University of Southern Indiana, Ivy Tech, and Butler University.

Despite having ALS for the last seven years of her life, she continued tutoring children and adults. Right up to the end of her life, she would aid her husband with critiquing his sermons and helping him improve them. She also mentored her daughter in the continuation of her work to expand literacy education.

“Martha never stopped touching lives and serving and helping, despite at the end, only being able to move her eyes,” her husband said. “ALS is a devastating, painful, and debilitating affliction.”

She was born on September 3, 1958, to Duane and Mary (Webster) Whelan of East Hampton and attended local schools, graduating from East Hampton High School.

Besides her husband, she is survived by three children, Liam of Connersville, Indiana; Kearney of Evansville, Indiana; and Aidan of San Antonio, Texas.

She is also survived by eight brothers and sisters, Margaret Eaton of East Montpelier, Vermont, Susanna Kelly of Highland Beach, Florida, Rebecca O’Herron of Newburgh, New York, David Whelan of Sag Harbor, Anne Mullins of Orland Park, Illinois, John Whelan of East Hampton, Elizabeth Whelan Kotz of Bridgehampton, Joseph Whelan of Bristol, Rhode Island; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; as well as three siblings, Maria Whelan of Chicago, Peter Whelan of Noyac, and Catherine Foley of Montauk.

Robinson had requested that her body be donated to further ALS research. A memorial service will be announced and held at a later date.

The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Robinson Reading System at RobinsonReading.org.