Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Prominent floral designer Marjorie Atkinson dies

Marjorie E. Atkinson, once regarded as one of the top floral designers in the Northwest and a longtime UNLV basketball and pro sports fan, has died in Las Vegas. She was 91.

Atkinson, the mother-in-law of two-term former Nevada Gov. Mike O'Calla-ghan, died of heart failure March 3 at a local convalescent home.

"She was a lady at all times," said O'Callaghan, longtime executive editor of the SUN.

"Her love of sports was satisfied in late years by television (though she had attended many games well into her 80s). She had a UNLV blanket to keep her warm when watching the Rebels and a Raider blanket when she watched her favorite football team.

"She was a special person who set a good example for the entire family," O'Callaghan said.

Services were private at Palm Mortuary. Atkinson was buried in the family plot in Boise, Idaho, next to her mother, Anna Ora Peabody Jackson, who had much influence in developing Atkinson's strong work ethic.

"My grandfather died when mom was young and, because of that, her mother had to work as a cook in lumber camps to feed her large family," said Carolyn O'Callaghan. "Mom also left school early to work and help the family."

At age 16, Atkinson married Claude S. Randall and, during the 1930s, they opened Randall's florist shop and nursery in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Atkinson ran the floral shop by herself for many years after Randall died in 1941, a week after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. She retired in 1955.

"Mom became known as one of the finest (floral) designers in the Northwest," said Carolyn. "Her favorites were the spring combinations, with the irises and the tulips, but she loved working with all types of flowers."

In retirement, Atkinson spent many carefree hours tending to the flowers in the O'Callaghans' home and yard.

Born July 27, 1904, in Boise, Atkinson visited Nevada several times over the years, moving to Las Vegas in 1980 to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.

A big baseball fan, Atkinson would attend games with her family at Cashman Field. Well into her 80s, she wore a baseball mitt just in case a foul ball would find its way to her seat along the third base line.

In 1990, Atkinson, waved her Rebel handkerchief and cheered as, along with a national television audience, she watched the Rebels win the NCAA basketball title.

In her later days, Atkinson enjoyed reading while listening to Lawrence Welk recordings.

In addition to the O'Call-aghans, Atkinson is survived by a son, Richard Randall of Carson City; two other daughters, Barbara Kingsbury of Boise and Harriett Martinez of Milpitas, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Atkinson

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