ROBYN YOVANOVICH 1953 - 2012

Robyn Dobson Yovanovich, wife of well-known Virginia steeplechase horseman Donald Yovanovich, died Monday, July 23, at their home in Upperville after a three-year battle with cancer. She was 58.

ROBYN YOVANOVICH (2nd from right) (Douglas Lees Photo)

Mrs. Yovanovich was a choreographer, director, and drama teacher who brought an extensive theater background to her position as Fine Arts Department chair of Foxcroft School in Middleburg. A native of Alexandria, Va., she danced on Broadway, toured Europe with the USO, and starred in productions at her alma mater, Catholic University of America, which she attended on a Helen Hayes drama scholarship.

In 2010, she produced a show at Foxcroft, “What I Did for Love,” that included her daughter, Clancey, a member of Foxcroft’s Class of 2011. She said she put together the show to provide a remembrance for both her daughter and the school. “I just wanted to leave a gift to Foxcroft and a gift to Clancey,” she said before the production, which raised more than $6,000 in donations to the Fine Arts Department. Foxcroft archived a musical number with Clancey and her mother here.

She also provided color commentary for television coverage of the Virginia Gold Cup, which her husband serves as race director.

ROBYN AT THE GOLD CUP WITH WINNING TRAINER JACK FISHER (Douglas Lees Photo)

Her husband, a steeplechase trainer who serves as co-chair of the International Gold Cup, is a member of the National Steeplechase Association Board of Directors and chairman of the Race Chairmen’s Committee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foxcroft School Fine Arts Department.

To read more about Robyn, click here.