April 19, 1915 - Aug. 28, 2010
Dorothy Lawler Patterson, 95, who in her life resided in Norristown, PA, Elkton, MD, and Coral Gables and New Smyrna Beach, FL, died Saturday, August 28, 2010 at home in New Smyrna Beach. She was married for 60 years to Harry F. Patterson III, who passed away in 2000, and leaves three children, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Identified by her memorable hats, "Dorothy" was known and beloved for her ability to make friends instantly and for life. Her extensive knowledge of genealogy and her genuine curiosity about people's lives resulted in decades of fascinating conversations in restaurants, stores and flea markets, with individuals who – while strangers when they met her – 10 or 30 or 90 minutes later would be anything but.
Mrs. Patterson was a graduate of Norristown (PA) High School and went to Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, and was an ardent Chestnut Hill alumna throughout her life. She worked at John Wanamaker's in Philadelphia, was the executive director of the Cecil County (MD) United Way campaign and was a realtor in Cecil County as well. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Elkton, Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables and Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in New Smyrna Beach.
Her family includes son Robert Patterson and wife Cyndee, Charlotte and Asheville, NC; daughter Betsy Patterson Patterson and husband Gary, Dover, DE; son John Patterson and wife Katharine, Butler, MD; grandchildren Erin Patterson Frye and husband Howard, Des Moines, IA; Michael Patterson and wife Kit of Batavia, IL; Hank Patterson, Charlotte; Gregory Patterson and wife Sarah, Dover; Christopher Patterson and wife Kerri, Dover, E. Seton Lawler McIlroy and husband Chris, Falls Church, VA; Grace Patterson Leatherman and husband John, Ijamsville, MD; Hannah Patterson, Butler; and great-grandchildren, Tatyana, Victoria, and Inga Nelle Frye of Des Moines, Clara and Amelia Patterson of Batavia, Wyatt and Laurel Patterson, Dover, and Katharyn, Emma, Reilly Morgan and Beckett Patterson, Dover. She was devotedly cared for in New Smyrna Beach by Missy Piecara, Norma Carr, Pam Wolf, Maria Lacen, and, more recently, by Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions in Dorothy's memory be made to Our Lady Star of The Sea Parish, 4000 South Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 or Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, Florida 32129.
A service in memory of both Dorothy and Harry Patterson will be held Friday, September 3 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea, with a funeral service and interment to be held at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Norristown this fall.
