Patricia Y Heaston

Dr. Patricia Yvonne Heaston, nee Wright, was born in Chicago, IL, August 30, 1931, the only child born to the marriage of Will Alma “Billye” Crosby Wright and James Elbert Wright. She spent her formative years with her mother, stepfather, Dr. Arthur Brown, and her step-brother, Arthur Jr., affectionately called “Brother”. Her maternal grandmother, Lena Comfort Crosby, was her primary caretaker during her childhood and introduced her to Catholicism. Patricia departed this life Sunday, August 26, 2018.

Patricia attended Willard Elementary and Hyde Park High School in Chicago, then enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. She then pursued a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Several years later, she returned to Northwestern University earning a PhD in educational psychology in June 1975. Pat (as she was fondly known to her friends) placed a high value on educational achievement and was the quintessential “lifelong learner”.

Pat devoted a large portion of her life to her career. Her professional career began in the Chicago Public Schools where she was employed as an elementary school teacher and later a school psychologist, serving the student population on the West Side of Chicago. During this time period she co-directed a program designed to identify gifted African American students.

Pat married Curtis Heaston June 29, 1959. To this marriage, one daughter was born, Patricia A. Heaston in February 1968. After the birth of their daughter the couple moved to Highland Park. In 1971 Pat began her career at Lake Forest College, first as an instructor in the psychology department, and later as an Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of the College. As a professor she developed a course titled, “The Psychology of Racism”, which grew out of her interest in examining the dynamics of negative images in personality development. This very popular course allowed her to flourish as a professor and to engage with numerous students. A measure of her involvement and success at Lake Forest College was her promotion to Associate Dean. During her tenure as Associate Dean, Pat was one of 25 women in the U.S. invited to the National Institute of Education in Washington, D.C. to develop a research agenda to address the educational and occupational needs of black women.

In 1974 the family moved to Evanston where Pat was rehired by the Chicago Public Schools as Coordinator of Psychologists and later promoted to the position of Chief Psychologist and Director of the Bureau of Child Study. During her tenure, the department was required to respond to a directive to discontinue traditional I.Q. testing for the placement of special needs students. When the Chicago Public

Schools decided to decentralize pupil personnel services to the individual schools, Dr. Heaston then accepted the position to become Chief Psychologist of the Evanston Public Schools, a position she held until she joined Forest Institute of Professional Psychology as the Director of Clinical Training. One year later she became one of the original core faculty members of the Illinois School of Professional Psychology – Meadows Campus, which subsequently became a division of Argosy University – Schaumburg Campus. This position as Full Professor of Clinical Psychology allowed her to teach/train part-time, and enabled her to pursue various service and civic activities.

Pat’s personal interests included African American historical literature, art, music and writing. She was an avid collector of African-American memorabilia and took great delight in finding numerous objects d’art and other collectibles at art fairs and markets throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. One of the more recent notable highlights in her life was being asked to donate two pieces from her collection to the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. As a contributor to the new museum, she traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the opening in September 2016.

Pat was involved with several community organizations. She founded the Forrest E. Powell Foundation Champagne Jazz Brunch in 2002, held each year on Palm Sunday. This event raises funds to assist young people pursuing vocational or technical skill training after high school graduation. She served on the board of the Warren ‘Billy’ Cherry Scholarship Fund, an organization designed to support students pursuing teaching careers. Pat was also involved in the Rhea of Hope Foundation, an organization founded for the sole purpose of supporting underserved, at-risk adolescents and young women through mentoring, coaching, and exposure to cultural, intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and economic experiences. Moreover, Pat was an avid reader throughout her life, and her love of libraries resulted in her being asked to serve on the Evanston Public Library Board in the 1990s.

On a personal level, Pat is remembered by her friends and family for her warm and loving spirit. A deeply spiritual person and a devout Roman Catholic, one of her favorite pieces of jewelry was her St. Christopher medal which she often wore. When she moved to Evanston, she opened her home to women friends and colleagues, hosting Friday night after work get-togethers, and other gatherings to provide support and fellowship. She offered encouragement and counseling to those in need, and mentored many younger colleagues, friends and students.

Her life is celebrated by her beloved daughter, Patricia Angelle, her longtime companion, Vincent Taylor, and her former husband, Judge Curtis Heaston. She will always hold a special place in the hearts of two of her former students and “adopted” children, Dr. LaDon Jackson and Dr. Cheryl Judice. Additionally, Pat will be remembered by her “godson”, Charles Cramer, her late step-brother’s family, and a legion of friends.

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Mary Parish, 1012 Lake Street, Evanston, IL 60201.