Kathryn L. Patterson's Obituary
Kathryn Louise Patterson, 89, went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on February 27, 2016.
Kathy was born June 3, 1926, to John & Marjorie Montano of Union City, Indiana. She was the oldest of four children, and was a good big sister to sister Helen (Alan) Heuss, and brothers John Montano and Bill Montano.
Kathy loved music and could play piano, clarinet, and oboe. She had a wonderful singing voice and could whistle a tune like nobody else. She graduated Valedictorian of Union City High School, and her love of music led her to earn her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ohio State University. Later she earned her Master’s in Elementary Education from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Kathy met Bill Patterson, a World War II veteran, at the Wesley Foundation at Ohio State University, and they were married on May 22, 1948. Bill preceded her into eternal life on March 7, 2001 after 52 years of marriage.
After Kathy and Bill moved from the Midwest to Tucson, Arizona, in 1973, Kathy taught Kindergarten and Music in San Manuel from 1973 to 1980 and at Lulu Walker Elementary School in Tucson until her retirement in 1991. During her teaching years, Kathy was very involved in Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of women educators.
Kathy’s love of music was central to her service at her church, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir, taught Children’s Choir, would sing special music solos, and started and directed the Bell Choir. She was also involved with United Methodist Women.
Kathy and Bill shared a hobby that they enjoyed immensely; Square Dancing and Round Dancing. The couple would go Square Dancing or Round Dancing twice a week. After retirement, Kathy & Bill traveled the country in their RV visiting family and friends and Square Dancing. Kathy continued to Square Dance for a few years after Bill passed away.
Later in life, Kathy struggled with memory loss because of Alzheimer’s disease. In July 2013, she moved to Copper Canyon Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, where she stayed until she peacefully passed away.
Kathy was a loving mother of 3 sons: David, Doug, and John. She has 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Patterson, and brother, John Montano. She is survived by her sister, Helen (Alan) Heuss, and brother, Bill Montano, and is survived by her 3 sons, David Patterson, Doug Patterson, and John (Sherryl) Patterson. She is also survived by all of her 11 grandchildren, Dena Hargis, Eileen Hargis, Bridgett Patterson, Michael Patterson, Kathleen Shooshtari, Brian Patterson, Kelly Greenwood, Christopher Patterson, Rayce Patterson, Grant Patterson, and Zane Patterson.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Meditation Garden of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (1431 W. Magee Road, Tucson, AZ 85704) on Thursday, March 3rd, at 3:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in her name to:
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (www.umcstmarks.org), or
Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
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