Barbara J. Atkins, 87, a 62-year resident of Merrimac died Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, at Port Rehab in Newburyport.
She was born in Haverhill, Oct. 10, 1927, daughter of the late Fred and Susie (Boone) Butler. She was educated in the Haverhill school system and graduated from Haverhill High School with the class of 1945. Atkins was employed as a bookkeeper for the law office of Vincent R. Malgeri in Newburyport for 20 years. She was also a bookkeeper for J.E. Cody Roofing also in Newburyport for 20 years and retired in December, 1999. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, crocheting and loved all her cats.
Atkins was predeceased by her husband Gilbert Atkins and two sisters, Marjorie Butler and Dorothy McLaren. She is survived by two sons, Lee and his wife Karen and Thomas Atkins, all of Merrimac; five grandchildren, Jennifer Reidy and her husband George of Pepperell, Kristan Curtis and her husband Chris of Sanford, Maine, Laurie Flynn and her husband John and their daughter Jordan of Georgetown, Alicia Austin and her husband Chris of Merrimac and William Atkins of Eagle Lake, Fla.; sister in law, Jeannette Edmondson of Colorado; and eight great grand children.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service Saturday, Aug. 8, at 11:15 at the H.L. Famer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill. A visitation period will precede the funeral service from 10 to 11. Burial will follow the funeral service in Greenwood Cemetery, Haverhill.