DUDLEY, MA - Ann M. (Sterczala) Atkins, 91, formerly of Dudley, died on May 31, 2026 in New Hampshire in the presence of her family.
She met her lifelong partner Alban P. Atkins while working in Worcester and settled in Dudley to raise her only child Valerie A. Atkins, MD of New Hampshire. Al died in 2007.
Mrs. Atkins was born in Webster on July 3, 1934 to Michael and Mary (Wedda) Sterczala. She attended Saint Joseph Grammar School and graduated in 1952 from Bartlett High School with highest honors in business. She graduated with honors from New England School of Accounting and worked briefly in the accounting department of American Optical Co, then at the Worcester accounting firms of Joseph B Cohen and associates and the RJ Whipple Co.
Ann was deeply committed to her Catholic faith and served loyally at Saint Andrew Bobola Parish with the parish council, the Holy Rosary Sodality, and various fundraising events. She also vigorously participated in town voter registration. She loved travel, having visited much of the United States and Europe, and enjoyed cooking, baking, reading histories and biographies, crocheting, art, music and theater.
She is survived by her daughter Valerie A. Atkins, MD and son-in-law Michael Lichter, MD of New Hampshire. She was preceded in death by her brothers Louis Sterczala in 1947, Frank Sterczala in 1989 and Michael Sterczala in 2017.
A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 9, at 11:00 AM in Saint Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main Street, Dudley. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church, before the Mass, from 10:30 to 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations should be addressed to Felician Sisters, 1315 Enfield Street, Enfield CT, 06082. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.