Conway community mourns

Friends of Janice and Abby Robbins, the grandmother and granddaughter who died Saturday morning in a house fire, spent the day sifting through what's left.

The two attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Conway where fellow members attending mass Sunday shared kind words of Janice and Abby. Abby also attended St. Joseph's Catholic School where her schoolmates say her bright smile will be greatly missed.

Flowers, teddy bears, and a candle lay next to the charred rubble where 7-year-old Abby Robbins and her 63-year-old grandmother Janice Robbins died in a house fire. Their 3 cats and a dog also lost in the flames.

Friends sorting through the ashes looking for anything personal to remember them by did not want to talk about the tragedy. Next of kin live out of state.

Pictures of Abby from St. Joseph's Catholic School show a happy, smiling girl having fun. Fellow student Chloe Kordsmeier describes how much Abby loved school and how involved she was in classroom activities. "I will remember her big smile." Barbara Kordsmeier says the St. Joseph's community will always have fond memories of Abby and Janice. "It will be hard, but our faith is what brings us through the hard times."

Abby and Janice have been through hard times losing a son and father, Staff Sgt. William Robbins in Iraq in 2005. Jean Zopolos also attends St. Joseph's and knew Janice through prayer group. "She had a really hard life, but she recently came to a new life in the Lord. It was a pleasure to know her and I know she was in a good place. Although this is a sad time for us and our parish, we do remember her with joyful hearts."

Now all that's left are the pictures to tell the story of the happier times showing how much the Robbins family loved each another.

Father John Marconi at St. Joseph's says there's no word yet on a memorial service or candlelight vigil for Abby and Janice.

Fire investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire.