Patricia Atkinson - Obituary

atricia Atkinson "Mama Pat, Grandma Pat, Mom", age 81, unexpectedly died of natural causes on Sunday, July 12, 2015. Born on January 21, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Veronica and James Wall, Pat was one of nine children. She graduated from Downsville High School in 1951 and, two years later, joined the United States Marine Corps. She was trained at Parris Island and was assigned to the Arlington, VA quarters where she attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1958, she married O’Brien Atkinson III and worked for many years raising the couple’s four children. In 1980, at age 46, she attended the University of Maryland where she graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. She went on to work as a Liquor Board Inspector and as an investigator for the Prince George’s County Public Defender’s Office. In retirement, Pat moved to Anne Arundel County with her youngest brother, John J. Wall where she developed a vast network of close friends and loved ones. She enjoyed nothing more than going out and socializing with family and friends. She loved everyone she met and she never met a stranger. Pat was an associate member of the Anne Arundel County Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #70, a member of the FOP 70 Auxiliary, and several other civic groups including the American Legion and DAV. In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded into Heaven by her sisters, Mary, Veronica, and Geraldine. She is survived by a daughter, Kathy Speiden; three sons, Kevin, Vincent, and O’Brien Atkinson; five siblings, Jay Wall, Bill Grady, June Fitch, Dan and John Wall and six grandchildren, Ted Ciafardini, Marcus, Amanda, Taylor, O’Brien and Anna Atkinson. Friends are invited to celebrate Pat's life from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12 noon on Friday, July 17 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Rd., Edgewater, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Patricia Atkinson to the American Legion Cummings-Behlke Post 226, 830 Mayo Road, Edgewater, Maryland 21037. Interment will be private. An online guestbook is available by clicking the tab on this page.