Jennifer P. Atkins

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, Jenny Atkins passed away at age 65 after a long ordeal with cancer.
She was born on September 28, 1956, in Montclair, New Jersey to Henri and Florence (Gallup) Atkins. She graduated from Middlebury College in 1978 with a degree in environmental biology. In 1986, she married Kent Higgins. They moved to Amherst, Massachusetts and raised two daughters, Lucy and Geneviève. Jenny taught introductory biology at Mount Holyoke College for twenty-two years.
Known to sing and dance in kitchens as well as at contradances, Jenny was gifted in caring for babies, kids and students—a teacher and fiber artist and cyclist. We remember her smile and her ability to bring joy to any room she entered. Always working on something, when she decided she wanted to try something, she just did it, and seemed to not waste her time on things she didn't truly care about. Her caring and sense of propriety extended beyond kindness to people to the rest of the natural world. She was comfortable and comforting around animals and had a drive to connect with and learn from nature and teach others about the wonders that are found amongst the ferns, in the soil, and deep in the woods. She set an example, simplifying and sacrificing in her own life for the greater good. 
Jenny was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Kent, her daughters, Lucy Atkins and Geneviève Higgins, son-in-law Rosendo Santizo, a granddaughter to be named later, and her sisters, Cory, Maddy, and Betsy and their families. 
A Memorial gathering will be this later this year at Mayunsook Farm, in the Berkshires. Hers was a life cut short. She will be missed dearly. 
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

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