Michelle Kay Robinson

Michelle Kay Burkeene Robinson of Houston, Texas, died Tuesday morning, October 28, 2025. She had fought cancer for five years with dignity and forbearance. Michelle, proud to be a sixth generation Texan, was born on March 1, 1958, in Houston, to Mary Katheryn Poueigh and William Dempsey Burkeene. Michelle grew up in Pasadena and lived there throughout her schooling until moving back to Houston as a young adult. She graduated from Sam Rayburn High School in 1975. In the past year, Michelle was part of the Homecoming committee, preparing for the 50-year reunion of her class. Although she was unable to attend the actual reunion, she enjoyed renewing old friendships through the committee. She began her working career shortly after graduation. She was able to utilize her fine organizational/procedural skills and resourcefulness over the years at Lifemark, Enron, MD Anderson, Transwestern, and Stromatt Rehabilitation Services. She made and maintained friendships from each of these stops along the way.

She had one child, Jessica Leigh, born in 1988 and died in 2010. Early in Jessica's life, she was diagnosed with significant disabilities. From the moment of that realization, Michelle worked tirelessly throughout Jessica's short life, looking for ways to help her to be the best she could be. She met these challenges with patience and love. It gives us, Michelle's family, much joy to think of Michelle being reunited with Jessica, both being restored to perfect health.

In 1999, she married Kenneth "Ken" Edward Robinson. Throughout their marriage, he was a loving and faithful husband to Michelle, especially in the last five years of her life when battling cancer. He also quickly stepped into the tireless role as loving father to Jessica.

She and Ken were parishioners at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Spring Branch, where they were both very active volunteers. Michelle was in the Altar Guild, working frequently in this capacity as long as her health permitted her to do so. About three years ago she was encouraged to learn quilting to make "prayer quilts" for sick or grieving parishioners. She took up that skill in Michelle's usual "attack mode," resulting in the production of many beautiful quilts that she passed around to church members, as well as family and friends. And she rarely missed the church's "potluck" lunches and dinners, showing up with a casserole in hand! She and Ken have made many good friends from their life at St. Christopher's.

She leaves behind her husband, Ken; cousin Carol Smith Giles and her husband, Robert Giles; cousin Margaret Giles and her husband Alex Fisken; cousin Ellen Jones and her husband Robert Jones; cousin Jeremy Giles and his wife Melissa Giles; sister-in-law Susan Gannon; brother-in-law Mark Robinson; sister-in-law Cindy LeBlanc and her husband Fred LeBlanc; and sister-in-law Mary Ellen Santerre and her husband, Rick Santerre—as well as numerous cousins and in-laws a generation down. She also leaves behind many good friends who enriched her life—from her school days, her work places, and her church.

There will be a funeral service followed by a reception for her at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 1656 Blalock Road, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, should you wish, contributions can be made to Special CHEERS (www.specialcheers.com or Zelle at 713-858-2243 in Michelle's name).

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michelle Kay Robinson, please visit our flower store.