MIAMI -- Elizabeth Robbie, widow of the late Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie, has died after being ill for several months. She was 69.
Her death ends a bitter feud between her and some of her children over the estate of her husband, who died in January 1990. Mrs. Robbie had filed papers in Probate Court in September demanding a 30 percent share of her husband's estate.
Three children -- Tim, Janet and Dan Robbie -- replied through the courts that Joe Robbie's estate would be hard-hit by taxes if their mother's demand was met. The court feud was scheduled to be heard Nov. 22.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at St. Martha's Catholic Church in Miami Shores.
Mrs. Robbie was admitted to Mercy Hospital on Monday and died Tuesday evening. The hospital declined to release the cause of death but the Miami Herald said Mrs. Robbie had been ill with chronic pancreatitis and other illnesses for several months.
A devout Catholic, Mrs. Robbie received the highest papal honor given to women, the pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, in 1983. She also worked with Dade County's guardian ad litem program, which helps children with court-appointed guardians. She also supported Moody Manor, a longterm care residence facility for young people with head injuries.
Elizabeth Robbie was born Elizabeth Lyle in South Dakota. She and Joe Robbie were graduates of the University of South Dakota and met while Elizabeth was working in the university library. They were married Dec. 28, 1942.
Mrs. Robbie was the mother of 11 children -- six sons and five daughters. Two died in tragic incidents and the survivors range in age from 28 to 48. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; three sisters, Mary Frances Lyle and Wilma Lyle of Beresford, S.D., and Barbara Bernard of Elk Point, S.D., and a brother, Mark Lyle of Des Moines, Iowa.
