CORTLAND-Joan Willard Atkins age 81, formerly of Richfield Springs passed away on Monday July 17, 2017 in Cortland Regional Medical Center. She had the support and comfort of her loving family at her side. She was born on December 4, 1935 in Orchard Park, daughter of the late George E. and Florence Fisher Willard. Joan was raised in Orchard Park and was a graduate of Orchard Park High School. She furthered her education at SUNY Cortland where she received a Bachelors degree in education. On April 5, 1958 she was united marriage to Kenneth Lee Atkins in Orchard Park. They shared a loving and devoted union of twenty-seven years until his passing on December 11, 1985. Joan was a well-loved elementary school teacher; teaching in the Phoenix, NY, Elementary school system, Schuyler Lake Elementary school and both fourth and second grades in Richfield Springs Central School. Mrs. Atkins was a lifelong adventurer; after retiring in June of 1997, she attended outward bound as a teacher, she joined the Peace Corps and made numerous trips to Europe with her nephew. She was always ready to try something new. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing. Joan was happiest when she was surrounded by her many friends and family, especially her cherished grandchildren and great grandson. She will be greatly missed. Surviving are two sons, Philip Atkins and his wife Noreen of Groton, James Atkins and his wife Dawn of Leesburg, VA, a daughter, Karen Atkins of Cortland, two grandchildren, Erin Hildreth and her husband Ryan, Timothy Atkins, one great grandson Theo Hildreth, a sister, Beverly Walsh and a sister-in-law Marie Willard along with a host of nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband Kenneth, she was preceded in death by her brother George (Bud) Willard and a brother-in-law, William Walsh. Calling hours for Mrs. Atkins will be on Saturday from 1:00 until 3:00 pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street; Richfield Springs. A funeral service will take place immediately after at 3:00 pm in the funeral home with the Reverend Jill Stellman, Rector of Saint Johns Episcopal Church Richfield Springs officiating. Interment will follow in Schuyler Lake Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the SPCA, Cortland, NY. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Calling Hours J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Saturday, July 22, 2017 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Funeral Service J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Saturday, July 22, 2017 03:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439