SHIRLEY ANNE ATKINS

(née McTavish) Born at home on the farm in Devlin, ON, died peacefully in her sleep on July 16, 2025, in her 90th year. Anne was extremely proud of her family, which included David Atkins (Cheryl Stoltz); her grandsons, Iain Stoltz and Alexander Atkins; and her daughter, Julia Atkins (Jeff Hannaford). She was predeceased by her parents, John (Jack) McTavish and Audrey Mae McTavish (née Williams); and her stepmother, Lea McTavish (née Rowlands); as well as her in-laws, John (Jack) and Frances Atkins (née Eagleson). Her loving husband, Harold Atkins, passed in 2013. Anne was the youngest of the "first" family (Audrey's) and was predeceased by her brothers, Don (Shannon), Ken (Joan), Jim, and Ed (survived by Gail); as well as her brothers-in-law, Bob Gosselin, Bob Richardson, and Bob Atkins. She leaves her siblings: Flora Richardson, Allan (Lorraine), Evelyn Hyatt (Fred), Pat Gosselin, Stella Nichols (Don), Ron (Charlene), Bob (Karen), Doug (Patti); and many nieces and nephews. Remembering her will be the Atkins siblings who grew up with Harold on the last working farm on Presqu'ile Point, along with their families: Don (Edna Mae), Peggy Hawthorne (Hugh); sister-in-law, Lois (Bob); and all of their families. Shirley left home at 18 and headed to the North Bay Teacher's College in-service program. Upon graduation, she and a few colleagues immediately left for the Big Smoke (Toronto) in 1955 and never looked back. She became "Anne" the day she met Harold. It was a blind date, he was late, and she had made up her mind, she would not see him again, so out came the nom de plume. Fate wiggled its finger, and they were together for 53 years! She taught at various elementary schools in Scarborough, Kingston, and Claremont, Ontario, before and after becoming a stay-at-home mother for many years. Her love of learning continued at Seneca College (Library Techniques) and York University (B.A. and B.Ed.). After her children were grown, Anne worked at the Unionville Library and then Ryerson Polytechnic Library. She believed that her most rewarding job was serving as a York Region District School Board Trustee from 1985 to 1991. Her last job was as a half-time teacher-librarian at Claremont P.S. In retirement, Anne assisted Harold with researching the history of Presqu'ile and editing various editions of his book, "Highway Materials, Soils, and Concretes." She volunteered with Friends of Presqu'ile, the Church in the Park, and sat on the Brighton Library Board. She also enjoyed travelling and participating in the Retired Women Teachers' Organization (RWTO District 30, Trenton) and Probus. Anne moved to Amica Newmarket, followed by Amica Barrie, and finally to Bradford Valley Care Community, to whom we all owe thanks for their excellent cognitive care and compassion. Staff regularly shared with us that she was a wonderful lady. At Anne's request, cremation has taken place, and she will soon be together again with her beloved Harold at Mount Hope Cemetery in Brighton, Ontario.