Marie Louise Atkinson Willard (1864-1940)

Emily Sibley Watson’s family:

Marie Louise Atkinson Willard (1864-1940)

Emily Sibley Watson’s niece, younger daughter of Hobart Ford Atkinson and Zilpha Louise Sibley Atkinson.  Her first husband was Gilman Henry Hubbell Perkins; after his death she married Ernest R. Willard.  Her first husband’s mother, Caroline Perkins, was the founder of the Rochester Historical Society.  After Marie Willard’s death she deeded her childhood home “Woodside” to the Historical Society, and it was the Society’s home for many years. Marie Willard was a charter member of the Children's Auxiliary of Genesee Hospital and was a member of the hospital's Board of Supervisors.  She had been a member of the Memorial Art Gallery's Board of Managers from its founding.  

Her obituary in the October 31, 1940 Democrat & Chronicle concluded:
"Many things might be said of Mrs. Willard's benefactions, which were numerous and were conducted with a rare shyness and modesty. Literally Mrs. Willard was one whose right hand was unaware of what her left hand did.  In all her efforts to aid others, from early years until her death, she sought earnestly to make the lives of those she touched happier and more hopeful.  The memory of her life is one that long will be cherished."