Virginia J. Patterson

December 5, 2012 5:48 AM April 14, 1917 to November 22, 2012 Virginia J. Patterson passed away gently in her sleep on November 22, 2012 with her husband of 75 years William Patterson by her side. A Celebration of Life will be held Dec. 8, 11 a.m. at All Saints by the Sea Church, Montecito. Virginia was born on April 14th, 1917 in Baltimore, Maryland. She and William were childhood sweethearts and eloped in 1937 when they were 20 years old. After the birth of their first two children, Joan Byrd and John Hawkins, World War II broke out. William on active U.S. Army duty at the time, volunteered to serve in north Africa and Italy. When the war was over Virginia packed up the children and sailed to Austria where she was one of the first wives to serve in the American Army of Occupation. After returning to the USA , their third and fourth children, Thomas Bohannon & Nancy Virginia were born. During their early marriage together, Virginia with her husband lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, and New Mexico. It was said of Virginia that "she was a flower that bloomed wherever she was located". In 1954 the family moved to Encino, California where their fifth and last child, Sara Renshaw was born. The family called Encino home for 23 years.. During this time Virginia thrived and became an accomplished tennis player and instructor. She won many tournaments. In 1977 she and William moved to their last residence in Montecito, California. Ginny loved the Pacific Northwest and often took her children and grandchildren up to Washington state's rugged beaches. For the last 35 years Ginny and Bill spent their summers at Woods Lodge, Mammoth Lakes. There she provided a place for the children and grandchildren to spend time together. Many long friendships were made around the table in Cabin 15 and on the trails of the High Sierras. Virginia's amazing gift was a heart that knew no bounds. She had a great love for family, friends, all people and all dogs. She never turned her back on a stray, human or canine. Through her generous spirit, unending kindness to others, and Christian charity, she helped all whose burdens were too great to handle alone. The family wishes to thank friend Rose Philbin and all the staff at Mission Villa for the wonderful care they gave Virginia during the last year of her life. Virginia is survived by her husband, William, brother John Norris III of Westminster, Maryland, daughters, Joan, Nancy and Sally, son, Thomas and her 11 grandchildren Michael, Adrienne, Stacy, Margaret, Tom, Ryan, Shaun, Kaare, Shanna, Rachael and Wade plus eight great-grandchildren, Curtis, Dane, Freya, Taylor, Jake, Kyan, Adele, & Felix. Virginia was preceded in death by her son John Hawkins of Fairbanks, Alaska and granddaughter Bianca Greenough of San Luis Obispo. She will be greatly missed.

Virginia J. Patterson

April 14, 1917 - November 22, 2012