Thomasine Adele (Atkinson) Nardo

Thomasine Adele Atkinson Nardo of Aliquippa was called home by the Lord on January 19th, 2016, after a brief illness.

Born on September 23, 1929 to the late John T (Jack) and Mary Kenney Atkinson, Thomasine was the youngest of five children.  She and her family were devout Catholics and parishioners at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa, where she was also a member of the Christian Mother’s Society.  She was devoted to St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower”, revered for her simplicity of devotion.  Like St. Therese, Thomasine, in her own little way, helped to make the world a better place for others without the expectation of any recognition.  As her illness progressed,her family came to learn that for many years she had been contributing and donating to a variety of organizations including various Police, EMS, and Firefighter organizations, a children’s cancer society, among multiple others. 

Thomasine graduated from Aliquippa High School Class of 1947 and began to work for her father in the Aliquippa Tax office.   From there she began work at the Beaver County Court House as secretary for several judges before accepting a position in the Court Administrators Office.   During her tenure in the Court House,  she was very dedicated to her work.  She often commented on her amiable relationships with many lawyers and judges.  She held police officers – both local and state – in high regard.

She cherished her time working at the Court House and filling in at various District Justice offices in Beaver County.  Anyone who encountered Thomasine, or “Tommye” as she was affectionately called,  was most often greeted by her smiling Irish eyes and magnetic personality.

In a world where negativity often prevails, Thomasine led by example and by faith.  She always believed that there was good in everyone if one looked hard enough, never complained but instead tried to see the brighter side of things, and held fast to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.   These lessons have been taught to her daughter, grandsons, and many others.

In addition to her parents, Thomasine was preceded in death by three siblings, Catherine “Teet”Hardy, Frank Atkinson, and John (Jack) Atkinson;  as well as a brother-in-law Chuck Hardy and a sister in law Marian Atkinson.

Surviving  her is a daughter, her only child to whom she referred to as “my world”, Janice Adele Urick , and son in law Samuel Urick Jr.  There was not a department store that mother and daughter had not frequented together over the years without one another.  Additionally, Grandma  leaves behind in body, but not in spirit, two grandsons and granddaughter, Dr. Samuel Urick III (Dana Petronzi Urick) and Nicholas Urick, whom she affectionately referred to as “my guys”.  Grandma was present for the birth of her great-granddaughter, Lillian Rose Urick, on August 30, 2014.  She adored being a great-grandmother, always accompanying her daughter Janice to babysit.  Grandma’s greatest joy was when her Lily would nap on her chest and be calmed by Grandma’s soothing voice and loving heart.

Thomasine is also survived by her brother Eugene “Gene” Atkinson, a nephew Jimmy (Stacy) Atkinson, a niece Candace Atkinson Foucart, Jack Dale Atkinson, her five loving God children – Thomasine Hardy Mihalik, Mary Anne Hardy, John Hardy, Cathy Hardy Ross, and Chuck Hardy Jr.   Also several cousins and nephews.

The viewing will be held at Darroch’s Memorial Chapel..…   Visitation will be Thursday January 21st from 2-4pm and 6-8pm.    After a prayer service at the funeral home beginning  on Friday January 22nd at 10:00am, A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Titus Church, Aliquippa at 10:30am. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetary in Hopewell.   The mass will be officiated by Fr. Paul Householder.

The family would like to take time to thank her Oncologist Dr. Vincent Reyes and the nursing staff and physicians at St. Clair Hospital for the wonderful care she received.   Additionally the home care nursing from Gallagher Home Health and last but not least Family Hospice for their comforting and compassionate care.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Thomasine’s memory to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, 1504 Woodcrest Ave, Coraopolis, PA 15108 or visit www.olsh.org.    Thomasine was an advocate for Catholic education and contributed annually.

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