Marjorie Helen Patterson

Marjorie Helen Patterson, age 79, passed away March 3 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She is survived by her husband James; daughter Catherine Patterson, son-in-law Ben Cleary and grandson Alexander Cleary, all of Mechancisville, Virginia; son Mark Patterson and daughter-in-law Laura Patterson of Houston, Texas; daughter Nancy Patterson of New Orleans; and many more relatives and friends.

Marjorie was born March 24, 1930 in Rawlins, Wyoming to Ben and Helen Davis. She attended primary, secondary, and high school in Rawlins, graduating in 1948. She enrolled as a freshman at the University of Wyoming where she studied accounting and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.

In 1953 she met and married James C. Patterson, her husband of fifty-seven years. Following their marriage, the couple moved frequently due to James’ occupation as a geophysicist with a major oil company. Between 1953 and 1969 they moved some forty times, living in such cities as Los Angeles, New York, and many places in between. Marjorie gracefully accepted the challenges of these frequent relocations.

The Pattersons lived in London from 1969 to 1980, a particularly happy time for the family. After London, they moved to Houston, where Marjorie began a very satisfying seven years of seasonal employment with H & R Block. She also frequently worked as a volunteer, helping elderly people with their tax returns.

Marjorie is remembered as a person of insightful intelligence and lively conversation. She enjoyed her bridge club and book club and was a lover of good literature and classical music. An accomplished pianist herself, she always looked forward to attending Houston Symphony concerts in Jones Hall. An avid outdoorswoman, she treasured the hiking vacations the family took in Dillon, Colorado. A loving wife and mother, she took great pride in her children and grandson. She was also a person of deep religious faith who was a member of the Church of Christ for over fifty years.

Her family and friends cherish her memory. She will be greatly missed.

The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon, March 13, at 3, in the chapel at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, 77079. Friends and family are invited to a visitation at 2 p.m., also in the chapel. For more information: 281-497-2210 or www.memorialoaksfunerals.com.