Linda Susanne Atkins

Portsmouth, RI - Linda Susanne (Norris) Atkins of Portsmouth passed away peacefully on Monday September 16, 2013 at home. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri on September 4, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Naoma (Hanson) Norris and the late Ralph A. Norris. She is survived by her beloved husband of fifty years Dr. Ronald W. Atkins, her two children, Mark A. Atkins and his wife Alison Shakarian of Tiverton and Ronna (Atkins) Stefanopoulos and her husband Arthur of Newport. Linda was a loving grandmother to her two young granddaughters and her grandson, who helped to give her a strong will to live the past few years. She is also survived by her brother Ralph A. Norris, Jr. and his wife Mary, and her sister Patricia A. (Norris) Archdekin and her husband Thomas and her nieces and nephews all of St. Joseph, Missouri. Linda was first and foremost a devoted wife and loving mother, and after her husband's retirement from the U.S. Navy, she obtained a degree as a Registered Nurse from the Newport Hospital School of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science degree from Roger Williams University, and greatly enjoyed her work in the health services profession. A memorial service will be held, Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 11:00am at the Portsmouth United Methodist Church, 2732 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI where Linda was a dedicated member for over forty years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Portsmouth United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 2732 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.