Northampton, MA – Jane, 89, passed peacefully with her children by her side on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Jane was born in the Bronx, New York, to her mother, Therese Kaufman, and father, Edward Atkins, both of whom were immigrant children fleeing persecution in Austria and Russia, respectively. She had an older brother, Richard, who died earlier in 2026.
Jane graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College. Jane’s eldest son, Eric, died in 2013, and she is survived by her daughter, Nina, son-in-law Pierre Galaud, youngest son, Chris, daughter-in-law Sarah Abel, and grandchildren Maureen, Leah, and Jonah.
Jane loved her careers as landscape designer (Los Angeles, Californa) and photo archivist (New York, New York). Jane was a master gardener and a skilled amateur artist who left a considerable body of work. Jane held the highest esteem for human beings and their arts, including culinary, and she was a gifted cook.
Jane was a lover of beauty who left more of it wherever she went. She had a razor sharp mind along with a formidable grasp of history and politics, making her a great conversationalist. Jane is beloved by her family and friends and will be fondly remembered.
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