Whitney Robeson

Whitney Harlow Robeson, born in Richmond, Virginia on August 1, 2003, to parents Carin “Carrie” Grunkemeyer Robeson and J. Matthew Robeson, lived with inimitable grace, keen and quiet attentiveness, loyalty, boundless generosity, and an uncanny way of always knowing just what to do. Grounded by her deep faith and unwavering love for her family and friends, Whitney moved through the world with a gentle wisdom that touched everyone around her. She is remembered for her thoughtful kindness, as when she quietly left a note bearing the words of John 13:07 on a struggling friend’s mirror in college, never seeking credit, her elegant handwriting the only clue to its source.

Whitney attended St. Bridget Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade, where she built a foundation of faith, love, and friendship that shaped her character. She later thrived at The Collegiate School, where she excelled academically, graduating with honors in 2021, and competed on the field hockey, lacrosse, and swim teams while cherishing the bonds she formed with teammates. At Auburn University, she pursued her passion for interior design, becoming a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and graduating Summa Cum Laude in May 2025. Her time abroad in Ariccia, Italy, during her junior year deepened her appreciation for beauty and culture, yet she treasured no place more than the beach with her family, where they shared quiet days in the sun with books and one another.

She is preceded in death by her grandfather Michael Lee Grunkemeyer, cousins Sydney and Brooks Landers, and her beloved family dog, Tucker. Whitney is survived by her parents, Carin “Carrie” and J. Matthew Robeson; her brother, Griffin Brinck Robeson; her sister, Payton Grace Robeson; her grandparents Patricia Barton Grunkemeyer, Franklin “Bud” Robeson, and Adele Brinck Robeson; her aunts and uncles Kathleen Grunkemeyer Mayfield (Brad), Kevin Grunkemeyer (Kellie), Meghan Grunkemeyer, Jean Robeson Montag (Mike), and Lindsay Robeson Landers (Nick); and her cousins Madeline Mayfield, Michael Mayfield, Lucas Landers, Margaret Montag, and Margot “Dottie” Grunkemeyer.

To her siblings, Whitney was a best friend, inspiration, confidant, and steady light, offering patience, wisdom, and an unbreakable bond. With her mother, Carrie, she shared an especially close connection rooted in shared passions for travel, beauty, and refinement, often mistaken for sisters. Her father, Matt, adored his “middlest” brown-eyed girl, admiring her dedication and the easy smile and warm giggle that defined her.