PATTERSON, Betty E.

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona Betty E. Patterson (October 22, 1924 - January 15, 2011) Betty E. Patterson, 86, graduated from this life on January 15, 2011 in Winslow, Arizona. She was born on October 22, 1924 in Leoti, Kansas to Virgil and Mary (Willis) Owens. She was so tiny her parents didn't name her until she was six weeks old, fearing she may not survive. As a young child, she rode a shetland pony to a one-room schoolhouse, where her mother was the teacher. There were twelve children attending the school. When her mother re-married, the family moved to Penrose, Colorado where she graduated from high school with 21 other students in her class. On March 24, 1943 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania she married Lieutenant Everett J. Patterson of Florence, Colorado, who was serving with Photo Intelligence in the Eleventh Air Force in the Aleutian Islands. Four daughters were born to them before their move from Colorado to Winslow in 1954, when E.J. was hired by Winslow High School to teach mechanical drawing and art. In 1956, the family moved out to "the hill" south of Winslow (affectionately known as "Fourth Mesa"), which remained the family home until 2002 when Betty moved into town to be nearer to her daughters. Besides being a fantastic wife and mother extraordinaire, Betty's most exciting personal accomplishment was being named Mrs. Arizona in 1957, where in the national pageant she was named first runner-up to Mrs. America. She and E.J. traveled to Florida and then on to New York City where she wore the $5 million Kimberly Diamond and appeared on the Perry Como Show. Winslow had only gotten television in the days before, and people still talk about gathering around the televisions of those fortunate enough to have them and see Winslow's own famed, beautiful homemaker. Betty was a charter member of the Navajo County Historical Society, of which she and E.J. were founding members. She was a lifelong Conservative Republican, serving as precinct committeewoman and heading numerous campaigns, including many hours of hard work campaigning for her friend, Barry Goldwater. It was not unusual for the telephone to ring and it would be Barry; once Ronald Reagan called to tell her that he and Barry had "hoisted one" for Madame X - her nickname when writing to Barry. While her daughters were growing up, she was very active as a homeroom mother in the PTA's of their various schools. It was normal at the end of a school day for the family to arrive home to the smell of freshly-baked french bread. Her greatest cooking conquest was one Thanksgiving Day when she served 27 people (and it was all done in time). Numerous health problems plagued Betty during her adult life, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart conditions, breast cancer (twice) and End Stage Renal Disease due to diabetes. She faced each medical challenge with courage, grace, dignity, and her special knack of humor and quick wit, always able to give her doctors, nurses and caregivers a hearty laugh while putting them at ease. She always felt that her medical family was just that - family - loving, caring and praying for each of them. Betty was always open-minded and took great care to raise her daughters to be the same. She loved people unconditionally and was truly an angel on earth to those who knew and loved her. Her cooking and sewing skills were amazing, she was creative, charming, fun, beautiful, and witty. She enjoyed her doll collection, reading, fishing (calling out "here fishy, fishy, fishy!"), gardening, and especially the interactions she had with visitors during her years volunteering and working at the Old Trails Museum. She never knew a stranger, they were all friends she just hadn't gotten to know yet. Betty is survived by her sister Donnie (Albert) Molello of Penrose, Colorado, sister-in-law Joanne Patterson of Selma, California, and four daughters Diane Patterson, Janice (Art) Griffith, Helen (Ted) Blondell and Jonee (Larry) Bockelman of Winslow. Also mourning her loss are eight grandchildren: Ariel (David) Robertson and Shayna (Dub Ward) Patterson, Patrick Lancaster, Barry (Christopher) Lancaster, Tim (Marissa) Blondell, Jason (Alyson) Blondell, Alana (Will) Jobe, Sammy Bockelman, ten great-grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. While she "adopted" loved ones on a regular basis, two ladies very close to her heart also survive, Cynthia Brisendine and Diane Dickey. She was preceded in death by her infant brother Robert, her parents, and by her husband in 1980. Private family services are planned, with burial in Desert View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family would like to request that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, 4203 E. Indian School Road - Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ. 85018, phone 602-840-1644. Fold her, O Father, in thine arms, and let her henceforth be A messenger of love between Our human hearts and thee.