Robin Sommer, of Plainview, worked in accounting, dies at 71

Robin Sommer had a gift of making people feel special, and she loved sharing her heart with everyone, her family said.

"She loved the people who were important to her, and she shared that love without any reservation. It was abundant," said Sommer's daughter-in-law, Laura Sommer, of Dix Hills.

The Plainview resident died of natural causes on Sept. 19 at the age of 71.

Robin Sommer was born on Feb. 3, 1954, in the Bronx. She graduated from Queens College in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in education and accounting. Throughout her career, Sommer served as a bookkeeper and accounting manager for various companies, and joined AON Affinity Travel Practice in Plainview, in 2005 as an accounting associate. According to her supervisor, Jolie Cangialosi, Sommer was "a star."

"Her work ethic was impeccable, and the way she treated people was equally as caring," said Cangialosi, of Great River. "On a personal level, we lost a dear friend, and on an employee level, we lost someone who was a master of her craft. We used to call her eagle eyes; if there was a mistake or something was missed, Robin would find it."

Sommer met her husband, Lou, on a blind date in March of 1973. They were married in January of 1975, and moved to Plainview from Queens in 1981, where they raised their twin sons, Josh and Ethan.

"She wanted her two sons to have a good relationship and have a strong bond, which was very important to her," said Lou, of Plainview. "She always said that the greatest gift she gave her sons was each other."

"I always knew that Josh and I were at the forefront of her mind in any situation," said Ethan Sommer of Manhattan. "Even though we are twins, she always gave us our own sense of identity as individuals. She made us feel seen and heard, valued and respected."

"Our mom was one of the most caring, kind, and loyal people you could ever meet. Her heart was always open, her arms always welcoming," said Josh Sommer of Dix Hills.

Both of Sommer's sons shared the same sentiment of how their mother was their "number one cheerleader" who showered them "with love and support." According to her family, Sommer was also "kind, generous, thoughtful, and strong-willed with a great sense of humor." Most importantly, she was "a true friend, a devoted family member, and a source of love for so many," Josh said.

Sommer's best friend, Carol Eidler, met Sommer when their children started nursery school and has remained close ever since.

"We raised our families together, we took vacations together, our kids are best friends ... it was a great friendship," said Eidler of Woodbury. "She made you feel welcome and appreciated. She always remembered people's birthdays or anniversaries and wrote such beautiful inscriptions in books and cards."

Spending time with family, especially at the holidays, was a priority for Sommer, her family said. As fate would have it, Sommer was instrumental in helping her son, Josh, start his family when she introduced him to his future wife while Robin was receiving physical therapy from her after a knee replacement.

"I love my job, it's very rewarding. So to help someone regain their life again and then become part of their family was something really special," Laura said. "She always treated me like a daughter and included me in everything. She adored me, and I felt the same way about her."

Sommer had an eye for design and enjoyed watching HGTV. She was known for her brisket and loved talking on the phone with friends, but more than anything, she treasured time with her family. According to her daughter-in-law, Sommer's three grandchildren — who called her Oma — were "the light of her life."

"I have never seen someone so happy as when those three little kids came into this world," said Laura of her children, Lily, 7, and twins, Eliana and Jacob, 4. "She showered them with love, and they knew they were special."

"She was overjoyed to not only be a mother of twins, but a grandmother of twins as well," Josh added.

In addition to her husband, two sons, and daughter-in-law, Sommer is survived by her three grandchildren.

A committal service was held Sept. 25 at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont.