86, entered into rest peacefully on March 11, 2008 at Schervier Pavilion in Warwick, NY. Born on April 21, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Helen Twomey Diuguid and Harris Diuguid and moved to the White Lake area in Sullivan County as a young girl. She married Richard Frank Atkins on September 26, 1941 in the Covenanter Church in White Lake, NY.
Stell was an avid reader, a fabulous cook and a lover of nature. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a longtime member of the Catskill United Methodist Church. For many years, she was employed as a librarian at the Catskill Public Library. She also spent many hours working for Literacy Volunteers and delivering Meals on Wheels. Prior to living in Warwick, NY, Stell lived with her husband, Richard, for many years in Callicoon, Monticello and then Catskill, NY. She was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother and homemaker. Her family was always first and foremost in her life. Her favorite things were the color orange, feeding her beloved cardinals, and enjoying her husband’s beautiful gardens.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Richard Frank Atkins. She was also predeceased by her three siblings: Virginia Diuguid Schoonmaker, Harris Diuguid, and John Diuguid. Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Frank Atkins and daughter-in-law Haydee Atkins of Warwick, NY and her daughters: Susan Atkins Davidson and husband Alan of Woodbridge, CT and Linda Atkins Oettinger and husband William of Catskill, NY; her grandsons Brad Davidson, Jared Oettinger and Rich Atkins; her granddaughters, Amy Davidson and Taice Oettinger. Stuart, Colm and Chloe Davidson, her three great-grandchildren, will remember her with great affection, too. She is also survived by her loving nieces and nephews who were so near and dear to her heart, John and Dennis Diuguid in Monticello, and Nancy Schoonmaker Zwerling and Carolyn Schoonmaker Merget in New Jersey. She was also predeceased by her nephew, William Schoonmaker.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 14, from 6-8 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY. A prayer service will begin at 7:30 pm with Pastor Richard Ryley officiating. A private interment will take place in Liberty, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Warwick United Methodist Church or Mt. Alverno Center, Warwick, NY.