Obituary of Marie Atkins

Marie Atkins, 101, of 1121 Morningside Avenue, Schenectady, died on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at her home after a brief illness. She was born Maryanna Helena Yorkowski on November 21, 1908 in Schenectady to the late John Yorkowski and Helena Yorkowski. She attended St. Adalbert's School and was a graduate of the original Schenectady High School. Following graduation, she went to work for Western Union in Schenectady, where she was a manager until her retirement. Marie married Henry Atkins and helped manage her husband's business, "Henry's", after her retirement. She was a lifelong resident of Schenectady and was active in the Columbiettes and the Margaret M. Noble Senior Center. She was an avid reader who loved opera, animals, playing bridge and horse racing. Most of all, Marie loved her family. She was a caring and devoted daughter, sister, wife and aunt. She loved nothing more than to spend hours with her extended family at holiday dinners and parties reminiscing, engaging in spirited political discussions and delighting everyone with her keen sense of humor. In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband, and her three siblings, Ann Cascini, Mabel Sykes and Stanley York. Surviving are her nephew, Leo Sykes of Schenectady; niece, Claire Mina of Cameron Park, California; nephew, Ernest Cascini of Grand Rapids, Michigan and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. The family will receive relatives and friends from 12 to 1 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan Street, Schenectady. A funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2010 with burial immediately following at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Humane Society of the United States, Dept. MEMIT9, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20037 or www.humanesociety.org.