STILLWATER - Robin Lee (Hilliard) Fusco passed away peacefully on June 5th following a courageous battle with bile duct cancer. She was born on Nov. 11, 1951, in Erie, PA, daughter of the Helen Hilliard Cross.
Robin enjoyed a successful career in design, which was a life-long passion. After graduating from Penn State in fashion design, she rose to store manager for Toronto-based company, Bowring. Robin met her husband John in Erie, PA and married him in Buffalo, NY. Moving to this area in 1981, Robin worked as display manager at Mayfair Furniture before becoming co-manager of Mabou, a popular specialty retail shop in downtown Saratoga. It was a job she loved, and her artistic window and floor displays delighted shoppers; her beloved Christmas window displays drawing admirers from near and far. Robin treasured her many buying trips to England with her husband John, scouring London and the picturesque countryside for antiques to offer at Mabou.
Following the birth of her daughter, Abby, in 1992, Robin started her own personal venture, Robin Fusco Visual Design, an interior design business based in Saratoga Springs. She helped to beautify the homes and lives of her clients, who valued her unique talent, professionalism, and warm personal touch. Many became close and lasting friends. Robin’s work spoke for itself: she never advertised her services, acquiring new clients through highly regarded recommendations from her clients.
In her personal life, Robin loved being near the water, whether Lake Erie, where she grew up cruising the waves in a Chris Craft, or Lake Como, Lake Tahoe, Nantucket Sound, Sanibel/Captiva shores, or driving the California coast with Big Sur in her sights. But her favorite place was Kennebunkport, ME, where she vacationed with the family for more than 35 years. She and John bought a home in this seaside resort and Robin made it special, adorning it with nautical décor and antiques. Robin would walk the many area beaches searching for colorful sea glass gems, a lifetime hobby that filled her glorious urns for display with gemstones and broken pottery art. She loved taking the ferry to Peak’s Island and combing the seaside for sea glass. Robin also enjoyed simply relaxing by the fireplace with beloved daughter Abby and her nephew, Dayne (who had a special place in her heart), in her cozy cottage near the ocean.
Robin was an avid antique collector and couldn’t resist a local flea market or yard sale. She had a great eye for hidden treasures, turning low-priced finds into unique and eye-pleasing collectables. Robin and John enjoyed hosting guests in Saratoga and in Maine, sharing their finds, favorite places, and serving special lobster dinners at a distinctively decorated table setting created by Robin. She was a special woman, warm and caring, always gracious, and with a wonderful smile and sense of humor. Her needs were simple: family, friends, good food, everything nautical and being near water. You can bet she has already discovered a hidden beach somewhere filled with sea glass and is taking in the sound of the waves and the smell of the ocean air!
Robin is survived by her loving husband John of 41 years, her cherished daughter Abby, her mother Helen Hilliard Cross (Charlie Cross), brother Jeff Hilliard, sisters-in-law Karen (John) Perkins and Lorraine (Dom) Luciano, niece Marissa (John), and several nephews Dominick (Juliette) Luciano, Randy (Kelly), Shawn (Sue), Craig (Trista), Dayne and Jordan Perkins.
There will be a Celebration of Life gathering for family and closest friends. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in her honor to: https://cholangiocarcinoma.org