Lucy B. (Bugbee) Atkinson

Surrounded by loved ones, Lucy Bugbee Atkinson, 101, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, died peacefully at her home on January 3, 2022. Born in West Hartford, Connecticut to Lloyd and Lucy Mallary Bugbee, Lucy was a longtime resident of Longmeadow and revered for her kindness, empathy, selflessness, positive outlook on life, boundless energy, and sharp-witted sense of humor. Lucy was devoted to the communities in which she lived and worked, and was renowned for her tireless wildlife conservation efforts throughout New England and the Greater Springfield region. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Lucy defined “leading by example,” treated others the way they liked to be treated, and saw the goodness in everyone and everything — she was an inspiration to those that knew her.

Born in 1920, Lucy graduated from West Hartford’s Hall High School in 1937, and continued her studies at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, graduating in 1941. During World War II, her husband, Bob, served in the Army Intelligence Service and Lucy worked in banking, as the couple moved between Maine, Texas, California, Washington, DC, and Cambridge, Massachusetts during his time in the service. After the war, they settled in the Springfield area, where Lucy went on to dedicate 46 years of her life working in the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit at Wesson Memorial Hospital (now Baystate Medical Center), becoming a beloved fixture on the staff. She served as a trustee for American International College for 26 years, working closely with the college’s Educational Policy Committee. A steward of nature, Lucy was dedicated to numerous wildlife conservation organizations and initiatives throughout the country, and held several prominent positions within the community related to her work. She was a devout bird watcher and helped to secure hundreds of acres for the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge and conservations lands during her time as a trustee — a place near and dear to her heart, located along the Connecticut River. Throughout her life, Lucy loved to travel, cherished time with family in Vermont, and had a fondness for long walks and all things sweet — especially a Friendly’s Fribble. Affectionately known as “Nannie,” or “Nan,” by family and friends alike, Lucy’s loving, kind and generous nature made anyone who knew her feel as though she were their own grandmother. Nannie was truly one of a kind, whose legacy and spirit will undoubtably continue to inspire for generations to come.

Lucy is survived by her loving daughters, Lucy "Robin" Patterson of Fairfield, CT, and Sarah "Sally" Harrelson and husband, Thomas, of Longmeadow. She leaves 5 adoring grandchildren, Elizabeth (Patterson) Markham and husband, Brian, of Fairfield, CT, Whitney (Harrelson) Ortiz and husband, Orlando, of Washington, DC, Robert C. Patterson and wife, Elizabeth, of Rye, NY, John K. Harrelson and wife, Jessica, of Simsbury, CT, and Jeffrey R. Harrelson and wife, Hillary, of Westwood, MA. Lucy was predeceased by her beloved husband of 70 years, Robert B. Atkinson, grandson David R. Patterson, and great-granddaughter Eliana Ortiz. She also leaves 11 great-grandchildren, Quinn, Madeleine and Charlotte Markham, Emilia Ortiz, Alexandra, George and William Patterson, Lucy and Adelaide Harrelson, and Rory and Wells Harrelson.

The family is forever grateful for the exceptional care and compassion Lucy received from Murphy-Avis At Home Care and Baystate Hospice. There will be a private family celebration of her life at a later date. Contributions may be made in Lucy’s name to the Lake Morey Foundation, P.O. Box 234, Fairlee, VT 05045. Arrangements are by the Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center. For more info, please visit us at www.byronkeenan.com