News Jan.27, 1917." Stricken with what is supposed to have been heart disease, possibly aggravated by a fall, Mrs. Stella B. Atkinson was found unconscious on the sidewalk at South 1st and G streets shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon by W. C. Graham. She regained consciousness as he raised her from the walk and complained of a severe pain in her back from a fall. Graham hailed a passing delivery boy, John Pollock, and, placing Mrs. Atkinson in the wagon, took her to the Tacoma General hospital, where she expired as she was being removed into the building. Col. H.F. Garretson, her brother, was overcome when informed of his sister's death, and said none of the family had ever died of heart trouble, and his sister had not been complaining of any illness. She had been attending a luncheon at Mrs. Captain Clancey;s apartments in the St. Helens and left for home at about 4:30. Mrs Atkinson was born in Tiogaboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Hon. William and Emily Calkins Garretson. She was 63 years of age and had lived in Tacoma 33 years. The family home is at 3802 North Junett street, Mrs Atkinson having only recently removed to 315 North Yakima avenue, living there with Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Osburn, that she might be near her brother, who lives at the Lewis apartments.
Taught in Seminary. After coming to Tacoma in the early days she was a member of the faculty of the Annie Wright seminary for three years until she married George E. Atkinson, who died in 1902, and who was for many years manager of the Tacoma Mill company. He is also remembered as being instrumental in the building of St. Peter's Episcopal church, with it's picturesque ivy-clad fir stump tower. Mrs. Atkinson had been a zealous worker in the church and Sunday school for years. She was a member of the Daughters of the Revolution and a president of the Needlework guild. Mrs. Atkinson leaves two sons, George, in Vancouver B.C., and William, in Tacoma; two daughters, Mary, assistant principal at St. Paul's school, Walla Walla, and Dorothy, who is attending the university at Berkeley, Cal.; a brother, Col. Hiram F. Garretson; a nephew, Ellis Lewis Garretson; three nieces, Miss Carrie H. Garretson, Mrs. Stella G. Hall and Mrs. R. H. Richards, all of Tacoma, and a grandson, George Atkinson, jr., of Vancouver B.C. The body was removed to the Buckley-King company's. Mrs. Atkinson's activities in church and charitable work, besides her long residence in Tacoma, won her a large circle of friends, who were much shocked to hear of her sudden death.