Marilyn Elizabeth Egglesfield Patterson

The former Sault Ste. Marie Public School Board teacher, who died Sunday at 74, volunteered with several different community groups in Sault Ste. Marie after stopping work in 1997.

Patterson was the first female president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25. She served from 1999 to 2003. The mother of three chaired four committees at the time of her death, including poppy, youth education, sports and donation review.

“I don't think a lot of people knew what she was so involved with,” said Branch 25 president Wayne Paulencu. “She did it. You asked her. She did it. No questions.”

Patterson was also zone commander, overseeing legion branches from White River to Spanish, and helped at the district level from White River to Mattawa.

Paulencu called the grandmother of five his mentor.

“She had more knowledge than the rest of us combined,” he said. Branch 25 has about 600 members. “There's a wealth of information that is gone now. It's going to be a lot of work to (replace) what she did for the branch.”

Patterson was recognized for her community work by Business and Professional Women's Club in March.

Besides Branch 25, she was also involved with Safe Communities Partnership, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 3 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and Algoma District #3 Retired Teachers of Ontario. Patterson and Peggy Houghton helped launch a Sault chapter of Canada's Association for the Fifty Plus in 2004.

“I think they're much more active,” Patterson said of seniors in 2004. “So many people in the past just seemed to retire and there was nothing much for them to do.”

She encouraged Sault residents to remember the contributions of veterans, and the work Branch 25 does, in letters to the editor.

“We the younger generation do have so much to thank our veterans for,” said Patterson in a 2001 letter.

She was Branch 25 president when two stone monuments were dedicated to war veterans at Greenwood Cemetery in 1999.

“In these graves now rest the remains of the comrades who crawled through the mud, who watched their buddies fall, mortally wounded close to them, (and) who endured unspeakable hardships,” she said. The new monuments, Patterson added, will “serve as an everlasting tribute to the memory of those who served in war.”

She attended Branch 25's annual president's dinner at Primavera Banquet Hall on Nov. 9. She died at Pathways Retirement Residence where she was recovering from surgery.

Visitation is Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Arthur Funeral Home and Cremation Centre. Funeral service follows at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

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PATTERSON, Marilyn (Egglesfield) – Marilyn passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at Pathways Retirement Home where she was recovering from surgery. Marilyn is survived by her husband George. Mother of Nancy Patterson, Susan Taylor (Jamie), Duane Patterson (Colleen) of Vaughan. Devoted grandmother of Tamscin and Rees Eaton, Draydon and Kye Taylor and Kiera Patterson. Marilyn was predeceased by her parents Clyde and Evelyn Egglesfield. Dear Sister of the late Helen Stratichuk (Alex) and the late Charles Egglesfield (Marie). Sister-in-law of Carol Patterson, Roxy Jomphe and John Patterson. Aunt of many nieces and nephews. Heartfelt thanks to Claire Matthews who was always by her side and Brian Egglesfield who was her personal IT support system. Marilyn was a retired teacher for 35 years at the ADSB where she “on paper” retired in 1997. Although she was retired she continued to be active in the school board with “Battle of the Books” where she encouraged us to share the love of reading that she did. She was also active with orals and vision screening. Marilyn was very active in the community especially with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 where she served as the first woman president from 1999 – 2003. She was awarded Life Member and most recently the Palm Leaf to the Meritorious Service Medal. She served as Chair of the Services Committee, Donation Review Committee, member of the Legion Colour Party, Sports, Way & Means, Sick & Visiting, Secretary and Entertainment and Soups and Sandwich. She was active each year with Remembrance Day and the Poppy campaign. She was also president of the American Legion Aux. Unit 3 and membership chairman in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Marilyn was also associated with the Moose Lodge and the Eagles. She was president of Sault Ste. Marie CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) where she frequently assisted the elderly. She was a member of the Algoma District #3 Retired Teachers of Ontario where she served as Goodwill Convenor. She visited Veterans in nursing homes for Veterans Affairs Canada where she tried to improve their wellbeing. Marilyn was recognized for her contributions to the community with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. She has also received awards from the Sault Ste. Marie Chapter of the Zonta Club and the Canadian Business & Professional Women’s Club. Friends may visit at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 6pm – 9pm and again on Friday, November 18, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Funeral service to be held in the chapel at 1:00 pm. Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Special thanks to Marcy Calvano RN from ParaMed, Dr. Reich, Dr. “V” and Christine Dias oncology nurse and Lorraine and the staff from Pathways. Marilyn hoped she would return home to be with her gracious neighbours, Rick and Cheryle but never got the chance. Marilyn was a rock in the community and if everyone put in a small percentage like Marilyn did, the world would be a much better place. Memorial contributions to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 or the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) would be appreciated.

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We will remember them.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 1 pm for a memorial service for the late Marilyn Patterson.