Janet A. Atkins ... longtime fourth-grade teacher; at 84

Janet A. Atkins, 84, resident of the Rockingham County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brentwood, died early in the morning of Aug. 10 after a period of declining health. Born on August 11, 1937, in a thunderstorm at home, she died in a heatwave.

She leaves behind a loving family who will miss her deeply. She leaves her friend and companion of 35 years, Patricia Vieira of Epping, her daughter Bonnie L. Atkins of Easthampton, Mass., her wife, Alice Barber, and their child Jess Atkins-Barber. She leaves her precious siblings, Marilyn Laverdiere, Bryon Commiskey (Lynne), David Weymouth (Deborah), Peter Weymouth (Russ), Allan Weymouth and Jane Weymouth (Kerrie).

She was predeceased by her parents Lucille Commiskey and John Weymouth, her stepmother Nellie, her stepfather Pete, her brothers, Leo, Andrew and Daniel, her brother-in-law John Laverdiere, and her nephew Joseph. S

he will be remembered by her nieces and nephews, Rebecca Fecteau Calero, Jennifer Laverdiere Perry, Amanda Laverdiere Deraspe, Jennifer Weymouth-Brooks(Randy) and Heather Abrams(Jonathan), and Patricia's sister Linda and her husband Mike. She also leaves many great nieces and nephews. Janet leaves her dear friend and special cousin, Barbara Dionne and her wife Novella. Janet also leaves 39 years of fourth grade students from the Lincoln and Main Street schools of the Exeter school system.

A graduate of Spaulding High school (1956) in Rochester, and Keene State Teachers College in Keene (1960), Janet had an extensive and loving family of colleagues, students and parents in Exeter. Her school community was another family and where she raised her daughter.

In retirement, Janet devoted her time to caring for her family and loving and caring for her cats and dogs. She, like her mother, Lucille, was a devoted animal lover and doted on creatures of all kinds. In her earlier years she spent summer days at Hampton Beach or at York Beach and especially loved lying in the sun between the rocks at North Beach. It is there where she dreamed of painting more seascapes. Janet loved doughnuts and hot cups of coffee, good movies, being attentive to the weather and storms of all kinds, and always being in contact with her family.