Lucy "Robin" (Atkinson) Patterson

Lucy “Robin” (Atkinson) Patterson, 77, of Fairfield, Connecticut, and previously of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, died on November 5, 2023 in the comfort of her home. Robin was born in Hartford, Connecticut on March 18, 1946, the daughter of the late Robert (Boone) and Lucy (Bugbee) Atkinson.

A near lifelong resident of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Robin attended Longmeadow High School, and then Elmira College in Elmira, New York, before getting her nursing degree in Boston from Massachusetts General Hospital. This launched her over 40-year journey into a profession that brought her so much joy.

Robin worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) across the Greater Springfield area before settling in at the Medical Care Center in East Longmeadow in the early 1980s, where she continued her career for nearly 3 decades. She was passionate about nursing, loved being able to help people, and was dedicated to her patients. A natural leader, she always brought her own style and spunk to her work, and developed lifelong friendships with colleagues and patients alike.

Outside of her professional life, Robin was a loyal sister, daughter and friend, and always enjoyed a good laugh. And her house on Edgewood Avenue in Longmeadow was always a central hub for friends and family over the years. And like her sister, Sally, Robin loved their cottage on Lake Morey, in Vermont, where she spent countless summer days on the water, sitting in rocking chairs, visiting with friends and family, and living the Vermont life.

But above all, Robin was a devoted mother. She raised her three children as a single parent, and rose to the challenge, providing the most loving and joyful childhoods. She was tireless and, by one count, attended multiple thousands of soccer and baseball games and practices, swim meets, dance recitals and concerts. And she celebrated her kids’ accomplishments with such pride, just as they were proud to call her their mom. And in the last two decades, she embraced her new role as “MeMe” to her grandchildren, which brought her so much happiness.

Robin is survived by her two adoring children Elizabeth Markham and her husband Brian of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Robert Patterson and his wife Elizabeth of Rye, New York, and she leaves her six cherished grandchildren, Quinn, Madeleine and Charlotte Markham, and Alexandra, George and William Patterson. Robin is also survived by a niece Whitney Ortiz and her husband Orlando and their daughter Emilia of Washington, D.C., and two nephews John Harrelson and his wife Jessica and their children Lucy and Adelaide of Simsbury, CT., and Jeffrey Harrelson and his wife Hillary and their children Rory and Wells of Westwood, MA. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Victoria Hartsock, and her two nieces, Kimberly and Nicole. And countless great friends from Longmeadow and on Edgewood Avenue. In addition to her parents, Robin was predeceased by her beloved son David Rathbone Patterson, her loving sister Sarah “Sally” Harrelson, and a great niece Eliana Ortiz.

There will be a celebration of Robin’s life at St. Andrews Church, 335 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106 on Saturday, November 18th at 1p ET. Contributions may be made in Robin’s name to Eliana’s Light, the non-profit created in her great-niece’s memory to support families that include children with complex medical conditions (www.elianaslight.org/contribute). Arrangements are by the Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street Springfield, MA 01118.