Obituaries

Shirley Marie Atkinson

Shirley Marie (née Tyte) Atkinson, a longtime Riverhead resident and a proud graduate of Riverhead High School’s Class of 1956, entered eternal life with our Heavenly Father March 7, 2016, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 77.

Shirley, a devout Christian, was a hardworking, very loving and forgiving person who always did her best to help those in need. She enjoyed bowling, going to bingo, and crocheting, but she most enjoyed spending time with family.

Born Sept. 13, 1938, in Riverhead to Wickham C. and Frances Downs Tyte, she is survived by her six children, Deborah, of Pikeville, Ky., David (Tabitha), of Westminster, Vt., William (Roseann), Daniel (Christina), Darryl (Sally) and Diane (Edison) of Riverhead; her stepson, Stephen, of Riverhead; her foster son, Tony (Laurie), of Center Moriches; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

The family will receive visitors Saturday, March 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 13, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Quogue Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation in Port Washington.

This is a paid notice.