Dorothy Patterson

May 2, 1920 - January 12, 2023

Dorothy Patterson passed away peacefully in her San Carlos home on January 12, 2023, at the age of 102.

Dorothy was born on May 2, 1920, in Bertha, Minnesota, where she lived and attended local schools. Dorothy left Bertha to attend St. Cloud Teachers’ College and upon her graduation, spent one year teaching in a one-room school house near Long Prairie, Minnesota. When the United States entered World War II, Dorothy served her country with valor as a Link Trainer Operator in the Navy WAVES, training many cadets and pilots. Upon her honorable discharge from the Navy, Dorothy moved to Topeka, Kansas and continued her work as a link trainer operator with United Air Lines. A transfer brought Dorothy to California where she settled in Burlingame and continued to work for United Air Lines, and then for the Burlingame Advance newspaper.

In 1948, Dorothy married the love of her life, James (“Pat”) Patterson and in 1952 they settled in San Carlos, where they raised three sons. Dorothy enjoyed her role as a wife, mother and homemaker and remained happily married to Pat until his death in 1985. Dorothy has been a member of Redeemer Church in Redwood City since 1953 and was active in many of its women’s clubs and organizations. Throughout her life, Dorothy was an avid gardener and spent more than 20 years as a volunteer docent at Filoli Gardens in Woodside. A long-time bridge player, Dorothy was one of the last surviving members of a group of women who played a weekly game of bridge for more than four decades. Dorothy loved to travel and during her “retirement years”, she traveled extensively, visiting many states, countries and continents.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Gust and Louise Drawbert; her brothers, Albert, Arthur and Elmer; and sisters, Adeline Drawbert and Lorraine Thompson. She is survived by her sons; Craig Patterson, Curtis Patterson and Kent Patterson (Carolyn Gibson), granddaughters Leah Rosales (Stephen), Lauren Abhay (Jon) and Brittany Patterson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life will be held for Dorothy on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Church, 468 Grand Street, Redwood City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Redeemer Church in remembrance of Dorothy or the charity of your choice.