Alice Frances (Hamel) Atkins

Alice Frances (Hamel) Atkins, 86, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after a brief illness.

Alice was the beloved wife of Paul Atkins with whom she shared forty nine years of marriage. She was born in Lawrence, MA on December 21, 1934, the daughter of the late Cecile (Hebert) Hamel and Henri Hamel. She was a graduate of the Sacred Heart High School and earned her Associates Degree in business and teaching from State Teachers College of North Adams.

Alice was an active member of the Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Easthampton. Her faith was enormous and very much a part of her life. Alice spent eighteen years with the Sisters of the Holy Union. A few years later she met Paul William Atkins, who was the love of her life. Alice and Paul's marriage was one made in heaven.

Alice taught school at (NDIC) Notre Dame Immaculate Conception School. She worked at Providence Hospital in Holyoke, as a nursing secretary, She worked at Smith College as a secretary to the Dean of Foreign Exchange before returning to Providence Hospital as secretary to the President of the hospital. Alice was an amazing cook and loved entertaining. Her hobby was to look through her hundreds of cookbooks for yet another great recipe. Alice came from a large family and so enjoyed hearing the latest news of all her sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.

Alice is survived by her beloved husband Paul, her four brothers; Hank Hamel and his companion Marylou Robson, John Hamel, Arthur Hamel and wife Lillian, Gerry Hamel, three sisters; Rita Pelletier, Claire Haggar and husband Roy, Cecile Wood and husband Eddie, brother in law; Leo Marchand, along with twenty three nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Alice is predeceased by her sister Therese Smith and brother in law Francis Smith, brother Ray Hamel and sister in law Claire Hamel, with whom she shared a precious friendship and sister, Jeanne Marchand.

It is requested that masks be worn for all services for Alice.

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