Cheryl Ann Atkinson– 69, of South Weymouth passed away at home unexpectedly on Wednesday April 15th.

Born in Melrose on December 9, 1956 she was the daughter of the late Bruce B. and Marie H. (Horrigan) Atkinson.  She was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1974.  She subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State College, Class of 1978.

After holding a number of instructional aide and teacher aide positions, Cheryl eventually established a lengthy career with the Bright Horizons organization where she helped start many young children on the road to a happy and productive life.  And, although it was never a vocation, she became a caregiver for a number of adults with some fairly serious medical issues.  Never formally trained as a medical professional, she learned everything she could about their conditions in order to provide the best care possible.    As it turned out, helping those who needed it became somewhat of a calling.

Cheryl loved animals of all kinds.  Her cats provided her with unending enjoyment.  So too did the birds, chipmunks and rabbits outside her windows.  Even when money was tight, there was somehow always enough to buy food for her animals.  Gardening was another of her cherished pastimes.  Apartment living posed challenges but flowering potted plants on a balcony and a small plot on the apartment building grounds served to satisfy the gardening urge.  If she wasn’t feeding the animals or tending to the plants, she would often be reading.  Books and the folks at the library who helped her track down the right ones were some of her best friends.   She also took pride in sharing small pearls of wisdom, which eventually became a lengthy list of ‘Cheryl’s factoids’.

She spent her happiest adult years with the late Jimmy Kelly of Braintree who passed away in 2010.  No one outside her own family treated Cheryl better than Jimmy did.

Cheryl is survived by her brothers Michael Atkinson of Townsend and Brian Atkinson of Danvers as well as her sister Terri Lanucha of Hampden, all of whom will miss her very much.  Always in her thoughts were nephews Joseph Lanucha and Matthew Atkinson and nieces Crystal Lanucha and Jessica (Atkinson) Foland.

There will be no calling hours or services.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 Huntington Ave., Boston MA 02130. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com