Marlene Archey-Crim (MSW ’75) and Jean Robinson (MSW ’57) Endowed Scholarship
I just remember my mom always looking to Jean for life advice or friendship talk,” Kellea Woods said. “If she was going through a hard time, the first person she wanted to call was Jean.”
Their special bond has led to the Marlene Archey-Crim, MSW ’75, and Jean Robinson, MSW ’57, Endowed Scholarship fund, which has been established by Dr. Courtney Crim and his two children, Kellea Woods and Damien Crim. The fund honors the legacy of his late wife, Marlene Archey-Crim, and her former mentor, field supervisor and friend Jean Robinson. Marlene and Jean shared a mentorship and close friendship that started during Marlene’s field placement at Michigan Medicine in ’73.
That field placement produced more than one relationship — it was also during that time that Marlene met her soon-to-be spouse, Courtney Crim, who was working on his medical degree at the U-M Medical School. Crim remembers Robinson giving her stamp of approval when Marlene Archey was thinking about dating him.
She remained such a close friend that when the Crims’ son, Damien, was born years later, they named Robinson as his godmother.
“My whole family has known about Jean our entire lives,” Woods said. “She’s held such a big piece of the woman my mom came to be.”
When Marlene Archey-Crim passed away in April of 2022, the Crim family knew they wanted to honor her memory. They decided to create a named endowed scholarship fund to honor both women and the special relationship they had.
“By creating an endowed scholarship fund, Marlene’s name will live in perpetuity,” Courtney Crim said. “It was an easy decision because we both bleed maize and blue. It had to be Michigan. We decided to do it at the School of Social Work and include Jean as well because of the impact she played on our lives.”
The Crim family worked with Nancy Riske, Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations. In a twist of fate, it turns out that Riske had met Robinson just a few weeks prior. Riske hosted Robinson at the School of Social Work and surprised her with a reunion with the Crim family on Zoom. During that call, Robinson was told about the scholarship.
“I wish for everyone this kind of joy,” Robinson said. “My life is filled with people who are loving, who value my relationships with them. They keep me going. Life really is about relationships. This is the fulfillment of a very special relationship. I’m at a point where you value time in a different way. This ending is such a personal joy. It’s amazing that something pertaining to us will support others. Not being able to share this great experience with Marlene is part of missing her.”
Woods was brought to tears when discussing the impact of the scholarship. She believes her mother would have been incredibly grateful for the inclusion of Robinson in the scholarship name, and especially happy to support students.
“If I could want my mom to be remembered for anything, it would be that she was always willing to help someone,” Woods said. “Whether that be making you a meal, helping you through your problems, or giving you words of encouragement. She was an amazing woman and an amazing person.”
