Lois Lynn Wittbecker Atkinson of Niskayuna, NY participated in the grand experiment called life for 85 years until January 12, 2023 when homeostasis (physiologic balance) ceased. Lois was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She was a graduate of Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Her primary and longest duration employment was teaching biology, which she loved, at SUNY Schenectady. She was honored to be able to serve many years working with the Home Furnishings Program of Schenectady, the Capital Region Jewish Coalition for Literacy -reading coach, the Community Breakfast and the Stephen Ministry Program at First United Methodist Church, Schenectady, and as an usher at both the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall and Capital Repertory Theater, Albany. She was the wife of Roger H. Hooverman between 1962-1975, and Richard L. Atkinson, 1999 to the present. She was the mother of Joanna J. Doggett of Cohoes, NY, John E.B. Hooverman of Venice, FL, and Eric R.W. (Pamela) Hooverman of Berlin, CT; grandmother of Jessica Lynn (Peter) Grignon, of Troy, NY, Katrina A. and Ava C. Hooverman of Berlin, CT, also several stepchildren and their families, one cousin, Phyllis Bood Anderson of CA, and three nephews. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington Virginia 22209, SUNY Schenectady Foundation, 78 Washington Ave., Schenectady, NY 12305, First United Methodist Church, 603 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305 or to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104.