ATKINSON, P. JEAN - Our beautiful mother, sister, and grandmother, Jean Atkinson, died peacefully at McNair Manor in Moncton on Monday, September 5, 2011. She was 86. We will remember Jean for her warmth, open-mindedness, wonderful sense of humor, vibrant sense of style, and her twinkling green eyes. Her generosity and kindness will live on in our hearts. As a young woman during wartime, she traveled to Quebec to work in a munitions plant as one of the original “Rosie the Riveters.” She later worked at T. Eaton Company in Moncton. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and volunteered for a number of causes. She created a loving home for her family wherever her husband’s work took them, and was happiest during summers in Shediac Bridge at Edgewater, in the cottage built by her parents. A resident of Peoples Park Tower for more than 16 years, she was involved in many resident activities, including the Helping Hands volunteer group. She also privately supported fellow residents in need. She especially enjoyed the companionship of a group of residents known as “The Golden Girls.” Jean was a craftswoman who created lovely keepsakes by knitting, crocheting, doing needlepoint, cross-stitching, sewing, and quilting. Later, when her age prevented her from completing more detailed projects, she continued to knit hundreds of tiny toques for premature babies at The Moncton Hospital. She also enjoyed pool, card games (especially cribbage), and Cryptoquote puzzles. Jean is survived by her daughter, Penny Teed (Sanford); brother, Robert Johnston (Marilyn); granddaughter Rhonda Whittaker (Troy McInnis); grandsons Peter Whittaker and David Whittaker; and son-in-law Ron Whittaker. She was a proud Great-Grammie to Logan and Tanner Whittaker (sons of David Whittaker and Dana Kenny). She was predeceased Hedley Evans "Chic" Atkinson, her beloved husband for 52 years; her eldest daughter, Pamela Jean Whittaker; and her brothers Lorne, Lloyd, and Leonard Johnston.
A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at the Chapel at Camden Park Terrace, (connected to Peoples Park Tower), 55 Camden Crescent, at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 9. Interment at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Fair Haven Funeral Home, 1177 Salisbury Road, Moncton (506) 852-3530. The family invites you to send online condolences to www.fairhavenmemorial.ca.