Doris Patterson, Former Teacher

Doris Joan Butcher Patterson, beloved wife of Dr. Andrew B. Patterson, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 4, at the home of her daughter, Julie Patterson Kovsky, in Fallbrook. She was 73. ”The Pattersons were 36-year residents of Pacific Palisades, where Doris taught school and raised her four adopted children. She was a woman of many gifts, and seemingly limitless love and compassion for the people in her life. ”Born in Illinois on November 17, 1930, Doris earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1953 from the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois before beginning her 22-year career as a teacher. ”She married Andrew in 1954, and taught grade school in Manhattan Beach until 1961, when she became a full-time mother. She returned to teaching in 1981, joining the staff of the Palisades Presbyterian Church Nursery School. Doris retired from the school in 1997, and moved with Andy to their summer cottage on the shores of Lake Michigan. ”In August, the Pattersons celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the cottage, the place where they had been married. Doris’ happiest times were spent golfing and camping with Andrew. She also enjoyed painting, gardening, playing piano and composing songs for her students, and writing storybooks for her grandchildren. ”In addition to her husband, Doris is survived by her four children, Julie (husband Steve) of Fallbrook, Jeff of Glenn, Michigan, Steve of Auburn, California, and Kate of Playa del Rey; her three grandchildren, Nicholas, Aaron and Jenna Kovsky; her brothers, Dan and Bob Butcher; and her sister, Phyllis Butcher Hartzler. ”A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, at the Palisades Presbyterian Church, 15821 Sunset, where she was an active member for 35 years. ”In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (5677 Oberlin Dr., Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92121, or 1-800-533-CURE), or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064, or 1-800-FIGHT-MS).