Virginia B. Atkins

ATKINS, Virginia B.
Age 75, of Elmira, NY passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, NY. Virginia was born in Salamanca, NY, the youngest of eight children, and graduated from Salamanca High School in 1950. She graduated from the Millard Fillmore School of Nursing in 1954 and worked as a nurse in Buffalo, NY. In November of 1956, Virginia married Thomas W. Atkins, M.D. and moved to Elmira to help him set up a private medical practice in Urology. She then took a break from her nursing career for a number of years to be a full-time mother to her four children, while also volunteering for their schools, the Republican Party, and the Junior League of Elmira. Ginny volunteered at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center Gift Shop for nearly twenty years, and later for the Auxiliary's Thrift Shop. In recent years, she donated her time to the Chemung County SPCA as a "Kitty Cuddler". In 1979, Ginny returned to work at Elmira College as a weekend nurse in the Clarke Health Center, and worked at the Paper Store on Langdon Plaza as a wedding and party planning consultant. She was an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills, as well as Dixieland Jazz, and over the years, attended a number of Bills games, as well as Dixieland Jazz festivals around New York State. Along with being a voracious reader, Ginny enjoyed cooking, gardening, dining out at local restaurants, sharing in good conversation with friends, and taking leisurely drives through the countryside, whether on a motorcycle with our Dad, or in the car. While doing all of these things, she gave her family a loving home, provided us with strong morals and values, deep faith, and an incredible sense of family and community. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Virginia was predeceased by her loving husband Thomas W. Atkins M.D. in 1979, as well as her parents, Robert and Clara Brown; brothers, Chester, Leonard, and Wesley Brown, and sister, Dorothy Brant. She is survived by her sister Alice B. Ervin of San Diego, CA; brothers, Robert L. Brown, Jr. of Fort Worth, TX, and Donald E. (Lydia) Brown of Helotes, TX. She is also survived by her four children and their families; Priscilla A. (Randy) Baker, with Hannah and Thomas, of Austin, TX; Prudence A. (Troy) Tinberg, with Taylor and Kelly, of Greenwood Village, CO; Bruce P. Atkins, and Polly (John) Moretti with Benjamin, Daniel, and Anna, of Elmira, NY. In addition, she is survived by her granddaughter Kara (Justin) Albritton, with Roman and Marin, of Palm Harbor, FL as well as many nieces, nephews, close neighbors, and friends. Those wishing to make donations in Virginia's memory may make them to the Arnot Ogden Medical Center Foundation, or the Chemung County SPCA. Finally, we would like to thank Dr. David Kung, Pulmonary Associates of the Southern Tier, Dr. Robert Mauri, and the other fine healthcare professionals in the ER, OR, ICU and 2B at Arnot Ogden for the gentle and compassionate care they gave our mother over the last month. We will be forever grateful to all of you. Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 31, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at McInerny Funeral Home, corner of Water and Walnut Sts. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 11:00 AM, at North Presbyterian Church, 921 College Avenue, Elmira, with Reverend Gary Chorpenning officiating. A private burial will take place at St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany, NY at a later date.