Margaret Atkinson

Margaret Atkinson 92, of Indianapolis died peacefully on January 5, 2017. The second daughter of Raymond F. Atkinson, Sr. and Hazel B. (Armitage) Atkinson, Margaret grew up on Indianapolis’ east side graduating from Arsenal Technical High School in 1942. Although she aspired to be a writer, she also discovered a love for numbers and took a position in the accounting department at General Motors’ Truck and Bus Group where she worked for 37 years before retiring in 1984 at age 60. As a young girl, Margaret enjoyed dressing her kitten in doll’s clothes and taking her for a stroll. She also formed a strong attachment to the family’s collie, Sunny Boy who protected the children so fiercely that he had to be put outside when her mother needed to discipline them. As a teenager, Margaret enjoyed horseback riding, picnicking and attending the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race with her sister and cousins. When Margaret was 41 her sister Susanna succumbed to breast cancer leaving 4 young children to be cared for. Margaret lovingly took on the role of back-up mother to her two nieces and two nephews. Throughout the years, Margaret provided a temporary home for her “children” as they experienced transition in their lives. Always their staunchest supporter, Margaret became the cornerstone of her family. Margaret’s love of dogs is well known and, in particular, her love of collies. Over the years she took in several mixed breed collies including Peaches, Abby and Teddy. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Susanna B. Wills (Bob), her brother Raymond F. Atkinson, Jr. (Pat), and her niece Carole S. Brewer (Lyle). She is lovingly missed by her nieces Barbara J. Wills, Nancy K. Powell (Ralph) and her nephews Edward R. Wills (Cindy), James L. Wills (Teresa), Bradley R. Atkinson (Jane), two great nieces and two great nephews, four great-great nieces and one great-great nephew, her dear friend Mary H. Kubelsky, and her beloved dog Goldie. Calling will be on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 E. Washington Street in Indianapolis. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with a graveside service to follow.

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Margaret Atkinson

April 11, 1924 - January 5, 2017