Sally A Patterson

Sally Ann Patterson died peacefully on January 10, 2022 in Bettendorf, Iowa at age 78. A celebration of life will held on Sunday, January 16th from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Gypsy Highway in Davenport, Iowa. She will be buried on a later date at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Born March 13, 1943 in Glen Campbell, Pennsylvania, to Ralph and Martha Shaffer, she married Richard Patterson in 1963, and soon settled in the Quad Cities to raise a family.

Sally grew up in Indiana County, Pennsylvania where she laid claim to being one of the finest marble shooters for miles around. The story goes that she once made a future NFL football running back cry, after she cleaned him out in a fierce game of “keepsies”.

She worked for Long John Silver’s in various capacities for 32 years, and during that time wore out at least one brass bell that satisfied customers ring as they exit the door. She received corporate recognitions and awards acknowledging her hard work and loyalty. More importantly she worked alongside and associated with many folks of all ages on their own journeys through life. They were more than just co-workers and customers to Sally. They were friends, and they were like a second family to her. They in turn considered Sal like family and many friendships were the result. Later in life she had a very brief stint as a Senior Fashion model.

One of Sally’s passions was Pro Wrestling. She followed the sport as it evolved from bouts at Wharton Fieldhouse to its present state, and was way beyond a casual TV viewer. Sal has chatted with Baron von Raschke, hugged Governor Jesse the Body Ventura, sat on Vern Gagne’s lap, and dined alongside Mad Dog Vachon and his wife Kat.

Sally had gambling in her blood and pretty much any sort was fair game. She loved Vegas road trips with various family members and various levels of debauchery. Back when slot machines actually took coins, she could play until the quarters turned her fingertips black. She adjusted well to the digital age and carried a rainbow of VIP cards from the casinos.

Sally was one of a kind. She was a tough lady, something like a modern-day Granny Clampett but with an western PA accent. She was matter of fact, had no poker face whatsoever, and spoke her mind for better or worse. Her language was colorful but she could also say a lot just shooting a “look”, her go-to for any question that she felt no need to dignify with a response. She had a wry sense of humor that was surely lost on some.

But behind the sometimes rough facade was a good heart with real compassion. Sal was sneaky kind, and did things like quietly give money to help feed and educate Haitian children. She loved her family, and she always welcomed their friends, and their friend’s friends into her home. Sally treated everyone the same. She understood that none of us are any greater or lesser than another. That we are all precious in his God’s eyes… as we were in Sally eyes. She will be remembered and missed by all that knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Bo Patterson Glines, and son Rick Patterson; and siblings Marty (Ed) Wernecke, Betty (Denny) Mumau, and Jake Shaffer. She is survived by brothers Lee Shaffer and Dick (Diane) Shaffer; daughter Bonnie (Jeff Hibbs) Davidson and son Michael (Kim) Patterson; grandchildren Justin Davidson, Heather Davidson, Kim Schwerdtfeger, Lincoln McCulley, and Maleigha McCulley; and great grandchildren Austin Davidson, Tyler Rose, Jullian Schwedtfeger, Kiley Schwedtfeger, Jaxon Valle, Jadyn Valle, and Paisley Davidson.