Jeanne Atkinson

Jeanne Atkinson died, peacefully, at home in Virginia Beach, July 20, 2010. She was the wife of Robert, mother of Elizabeth (Mrs. Henry Patino) and Randall, grandmother of Camilla and Ryan Patino, all of Virginia Beach. Besides her immediate family, she is survived by her sisters, Charlotte (Mrs. Charles McDaniel) of Columbia, Mississippi and Kay (Mrs. Lee Smith) of Corpus Christi, Texas. Predeceasing her were her parents, Harley and Ina (Price) Leavesseur, her brothers, James, Carl and John and her sister, Naomi. Born in Iowa, December 16, 1931, Jeanne grew up in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire) in 1954. While in college, she led a troop of Mariner Girl Scouts who funded their activities by selling Christmas trees delivered anywhere in town by Girl Scouts, one at each end. Thus, they enjoyed a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park and an excursion to Washington, D.C. where they lunched in the Senate dining room, hosted by their hometown senator, Alexander Wiley. A born teacher, Jeanne taught at every level – high school, junior high, elementary and finally at Stratford Preschool, which she founded in 1969 and operated until 2006. She loved her students, especially the very young ones, who "give you their hearts." From each child she taught to read she extracted a promise to pass on to their children the gift of reading and a love of books. And, she enjoined all, as they go through life: "Think of others; share; take your turn." A memorial service, officiated by the Reverend Deborah Clark and Reverend Ted David, will be held in Baylake United Methodist Church Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception in the church social hall. Graveside services will be private. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. The family requests no flowers, instead suggests contribution to a charity benefiting children.