BRUNSWICK — Eunice Marie Atkins, 87 of Brunswick died peacefully at her home on June 24th after a brief illness. She was born in Castine Maine on July 8th 1929, the only daughter of Foster & Mildred Ober of Islesboro.

She grew up on Islesboro, along with her 2 brothers, and attended a one room schoolhouse with a graduating class of 5. She left the island and attended the University of Maine and Maine Generals Nursing Program, earning her RN license in 1951, a field where she worked for many years. She met Ralph Higgins, a Brunswick dairy farmer, they married and had 5 children while operating the dairy farm and tree farm, before his death in 2006.

She remarried to Tom Atkins in 2007 after meeting him at the church they attended together. Eunice played piano at the East Brunswick Baptist Church for about 15 years, often with Tom as her singing partner. They enjoyed long rides around the State of Maine, sampling different restaurants along the way. In her later years she enjoyed bird watching and an informal knitting club with family & friends. She was a current member of the East Harpswell Baptist Church. Although not a prankster, Eunice did enjoy a good joke with her dry Downeast sense of humor & wit.

Eunice was pre-deceased by her first husband Ralph Higgins and a daughter Virginia Higgins Robshaw. She is survived by her husband Tom Atkins, 2 daughters, Marcia Lavigne & Margaret Higgins, 2 sons, Daniel Higgins & Allen Higgins, Tom’s 4 children, Jimmy, Sharon, Mary & Rachel, 7 grandchildren & numerous great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held for family & friends at Burr Cemetery in Freeport on Friday June 30th at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick. To share a message of condolence with the Atkins family please visit Eunice’s memorial page at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.