02/08/2026
Robinella McGrath, 78, of Eldorado, IL, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026. She was born April 24, 1947, in Eldorado, IL to Gordon B. Allen and Norma Mae Allen. All who knew Robin quickly discovered that she was unlike anyone they had ever met. She was truly one of a kind - independent, courageous, kind, humbly generous, deeply empathetic, and most apparent to everyone who crossed her path, fearless. These qualities were shaped by her unique journey: born in Eldorado, IL, and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, MI, as the only child of parents who owned and worked local bars. Most days, as she returned home from school, they were just heading off to work, leaving her to rely on her own independence. From an early age, she learned to be strong and fearless - traits that would define her throughout her life. Because both of her parents worked long, demanding hours, Robin spent her childhood summers with her maternal grandparents in Eldorado, IL. The Ballard family was Eldorado through and through - her grandfather, Ben Sr., served as the town’s mayor for many years. Moving between school years in Detroit and summers in Eldorado allowed her to connect with people from very different walks of life. This contrast shaped her curiosity; anyone who met Robin quickly learned she had endless questions. She genuinely wanted to know you—who you were, what mattered to you, and why. After graduating from Bentley High School in Livonia, MI, her independent spirit led her to Murray State University - nearly 600 miles from her parents, but just a short drive from Eldorado. It was no surprise she chose to study education, later becoming an elementary school teacher. Even less surprising was where she began: the smallest of map dots, New Burnside Elementary, just south of Stonefort. A school whose demographics were significantly different from the ones she attended as a child in suburban Detroit. Her kindness, empathy, and generosity were evident every single day throughout her career, from New Burnside to Eldorado Elementary. Like so many dedicated teachers, she quietly used her own resources and countless hours to ensure that the children who needed it most were clothed, fed, cared for, and (above all) seen. She was uniquely suited to be a teacher because she cared genuinely, wholeheartedly, and without hesitation. While attending Murray State, she met a tall, skinny kid from the outskirts of Detroit for the first time. From the very beginning, it was clear that no two people were more destined to find one another than Tim and Robin. Their strengths and weaknesses balanced each other perfectly. They married in the summer of 1969 and went on to share 52 full years together. They would be the first to admit their life was far from easy, but they faced each challenge determined to give all they had. In raising her children, Robin gave them what she had longed for most in her childhood – presence. She poured her time, energy, and love into instilling her greatest qualities in them, hopeful that these traits would carry forward- to the next generation of grandchildren: independence, courage, kindness, generosity, empathy, and strength to be unafraid to confront life’s challenges while staying true to their beliefs. True to herself, she lived these values fully until her last breath. We take comfort in her faith in a higher power and in the belief that she and Tim have found each other once again. She will be deeply missed, but even more importantly remembered by how she lived – full of heart, bravery, and devotion to all those she loved. She was preceded in death by her husband, Timothy V. McGrath, and by her parents, Gordon and Norma Allen. She is survived by her children: Jerrod McGrath of Eldorado, IL; Megan Ratermann of Aviston, IL; and Caleb McGrath of St. Louis, MO; as well as her son and daughter-in-law, Dan Ratermann (Megan) and Erin (Caleb) McGrath. She was a proud grandmother to five grandchildren - Cole and Kylie Ratermann, and Jack, Josephine, and Benjamin McGrath. She is also survived by her extended McGrath family, who welcomed this only child with open arms and embraced her as one of their own: Michael (Mary) McGrath, Melissa Rose, Molly (Dale) Schaffenacker, and their wonderful families. She leaves behind countless Southern Illinois friends who became family, most notably Bill and Brenda Raben. And finally, she is survived by her true favorite “children,” her beloved dogs, Mac and Kirby. Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2026 at Colonial Terrace Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday 11:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Wolf Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Eldorado and will be accepted at the funeral home. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com
