Hope Atkinson

Hope Atkinson was born in New Bedford where she attended New Bedford Public Schools. In her childhood and youth she summered at the South Dartmouth summer colony of Bay-View, as had her mother before her.

In the early ‘70s Ruth and Hope Atkinson moved to Russells Mills and became full-time Dartmouth residents. Hope became involved to some extent in Town affairs as she was elected a Town Meeting Member and a Library Trustee, two positions she held for some twenty-five years. Hers was often an outspoken voice of criticism when she disagreed with decisions in high places, or one of exhortation in support of town causes, particularly those related to conservation matters, library affairs and historic preservation.

She was a very active Girl Scout Mariner in Dartmouth under the inspired leadership of Louise E. Strongman. It was during those years that she “lived in a Beetle Cat” and raced in the NB Yacht Club weekly races, winning her share for the glory of the Mariners.

As a Mariner she was privileged to voyage several times with world-renowned sailor Irving Johnson aboard his famous Brigantine YANKEE. These cruises were the start of a life-long friendship with the Johnsons. After their Mariner years, the Atkinsons continued YANKEE cruises in France and on the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Late in the ‘70s and into the 90s the two sisters chartered their own small cruiser in France. They navigated it themselves with Hope as Captain and Ruth as Crew/Cook. Friends accompanied them as “working guests”. They completed their 19th such cruise along the rivers and canals of France in 1999.

Subsequently, the two sisters were joined with a wonderful friend Bonnie, Seeley-Guptill This congenial trio rented houses or apartments France and Italy for short stays. Thus they were able to live as French or Italian ladies for lovely sojourns to these beautiful countries.

After a few years of working as a textile designer Hope moved into an entirely different field, one which was ideally suited to her love of books and reading. She received her MLS from University of Rhode Island having studied at both Simmons and URI. She served as high school librarian in Wareham, MA for 25 years, retiring in 1988.

Miss Atkinson was a charter member of Paskamansett Bird Club serving several terms as president. At one time she was a bird-bander for U.S. Fish and Wildlife services. She was a charter member of Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust serving two terms on the Board. She ws a charter member of both the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies and Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. She served on the Advisory Board of the Governor’s Council on Elder Affairs and was a life-long member Old Dartmouth Historical Society as well as a charter member of Westport Historical Society. She was a Past-President of Massachusetts Library Trustees Association and a charter member and Past-President of Friends of Dartmouth Libraries. She was also an active member of Allen’s Neck Community Club. In more recent years she was greatly honored to serve ten years as President of The Association For The Relief Of Aged Women of New Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT), 404 Elm Street, Dartmouth, MA 02748 or The Lloyd Center For The Environment, 430 Potomska Road, Dartmouth, MA 02748 or New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnnycake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740.