Marilyn Ruth Atkins

MARBLEHEAD - Marilyn Ruth Atkins (née Glass) aged 96, passed away on July 16, 2024, in Beverly, Massachusetts. Born on June 5, 1928, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Marilyn lived her entire life as a proud member of the Marblehead community.

After graduating from Marblehead High School Marilyn began her career as a telephone operator. She later took on the role of bookkeeper for her husband’s electrical contractor business while raising their three children. Once their children were grown she returned to the workforce, this time at the Marblehead Town Clerk’s Office in Abbot Hall, where she served until her retirement to take care of her beloved husband. Marilyn was not only dedicated to her professional roles but she also cherished her life-long dream of being a wife and mother, a role she embraced wholeheartedly and excelled in. In 1997 her granddaughter Christy Alger-Williams had a school assignment to interview a grandparent to learn about their early life. The questions were provided by the school. One question was “What did you want to be when you grew up?” Marilyn’s answer was “A wife and a mother.” The follow-up question was “Were you able to fulfill that dream?” Marilyn’s answer was “YES”. Marilyn’s life was a testament to her unwavering love and dedication to her family.

Marilyn enjoyed many hobbies during her long life. She was an avid bowler and loved to travel in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. She excelled at sewing and knitting passing on her expertise to her daughters. As she grew older she was very active in the Marblehead Council on Aging. Day trips, special events, exercise classes, she was there enjoying herself. Marilyn’s favorite foods were ice cream, Cheez-its, and the fresh lobster rolls that her nephew Michael Atkins brought her on her birthday every year!

Marilyn was preceded in death by her loving spouse Robert G. Atkins, her mother Gladys Glass, her father Ernest J. Glass and her sisters Constance Glass and Shirley

Doris. She is survived by Ernie and Brenda Glass her brother and sister-in-law; her children, Leslie Alger (née Atkins) and her husband Charles, Bobbie Niemczyk (née Atkins) and her husband Charles and Mark Atkins and his husband Tedd Kapinos; her grandchildren Matthew Niemczyk, Christy Alger-Williams, Jessica Martell, Stephen Alger and David Alger; and her great grandchildren Piper and Quinn Martell, Jackson and Carter Alger, Isla Williams, and Ethan Alger. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ken and Sue Atkins, her nephew Michael Atkins and wife Julia and son Bode; her niece Linda Rafferty (née Atkins) and her husband Jim and son Aiden and daughter Emma. Marilyn’s loyal dog, Hannah, also remains a beloved member of the family.

Marilyn’s life was a testament to her unwavering love and dedication to her family and her community. Her legacy will continue to live on through her family, friends and all who knew her.

A graveside service will be held at the Waterside Cemetery on West Shore Drive in Marblehead on Thursday, July 25 at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers please donate in memory of Marilyn Atkins to the Dementia Society of America. Donations can be made online thru their website. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Marilyn's family.