Mary R. Patterson

Mary R. Patterson, age 87, of Williams, Oregon died Monday, October 24, 2011 at Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass, Oregon.

A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 28, 2011 at Sparlin Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Williams Fire/Rescue Support Group, c/o Williams Rural Fire Protection District, PO Box 81, Williams, Oregon 97544.

Mary was born March 20, 1924 in New Lisbon, Wisconsin. She graduated from high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On July 16, 1944 in Norfolk, Virginia she married Donald “Pat” Patterson. After moving to San Diego, California she completed seven semesters in adult education and home economics and attended California State University San Diego where she studied adult education. Mary was an instructor and demonstrator of both White and Elna sewing machines. She introduced new classes and techniques on the sewing machine, gave lectures and was a published author for sewing and machine embroidery pattern books. In March 1989 she moved from San Diego, California to Williams, Oregon.

Mary’s hobbies included quilting and she won several contests with her quilts; collecting fabric; reading; gardening; and art.

Mary was a founding member of the Williams Fire/Rescue Support Group where she volunteered her time and helped coordinate the annual fund raiser yard sale. She was also a founding member of a cancer survivors support group; an active member of Williams Community Church; a member of Eastern Star; and volunteered as a cook at the Williams Grange.

Survivors include three daughters, Patrice Ballard (Jim) of Murphy, Oregon, Merry Rosseau of San Diego, California, and Sue Patterson (Karen) of San Diego, California; two sons, David Patterson (Gloria) of San Diego, California and Patric Patterson of San Diego, California; a sister, Jeanette Monaghan of Kenosha, Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald “Pat” Patterson in 2005.