Elaine Trimble Patterson

NEWPORT NEWS - Elaine Trimble Patterson, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, departed this life on November 29, 2014, at the age of 90. Her family and friends will continue to marvel at her lifelong display of optimism, grace, enthusiasm and love. Elaine was born on January 30, 1924 in Washington, D.C. to the late Mr. and Mrs. South Trimble, Jr. After being selected "Capital's Prettiest Baby," her picture was featured in newspapers across the country. As the daughter of a well-known government attorney and the granddaughter of two U.S. Congressmen, she grew up with a love of politics and an active social life. During World War II, she christened the liberty ship S.S. Samuel Johnson. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Georgetown Visitation Junior College and Trinity College (class of 1945). Elaine married Lt. Col. Lowell H. Patterson, Jr. (a/k/a Pat) in 1958. The young army couple was soon to be happily stationed in the Alsace Lorraine region of France, where three of their four sons were born. After Pat's retirement in 1966 from his final assignment at Ft. Monroe, the family settled in Hampton, VA. Following Pat's death in 1979, Elaine continued to lead a very busy and active life. She was an avid bridge player, and she enjoyed many domestic and international traveling adventures. She frequently attended opera, theatre and symphony productions. She was also a dedicated reader of numerous periodicals, newspapers and books. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends. Elaine was involved with various social, charitable and religious organizations over the years. She was a devout Roman Catholic who regularly attended Mass. Elaine was a member of the Ft. Monroe Officers' Wives Club, the Riverdale Garden Club, the Junior League of Hampton Roads, the Langley Officers Club, the Ft. Monroe Officers Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the Jamestown Society, the Society of the Ark and the Dove, the Descendants of the Lords of the Maryland Manors, the John Carroll Society and the Chevy Chase Club. In 1991, she was invested as a Dame in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Elaine was preceded in death by Pat, both of her parents, and her brothers, South and Stephen Trimble (a/k/a "Bones"). She is survived by four sons: Lowell (and his wife, Cathy) of Bethesda, MD; South (and his wife, Martha) of Yorktown, VA; Edward, of Hampton, VA; and, James (and his wife, Margaret) of Poquoson, VA. Elaine is also survived by ten grandchildren: Lowell, James, Margaret (a/k/a "Maggie"), Stephen, South, Morgan, Clement, Charlotte, Eleanor and Mary; a brother, James, and a sister, Mary Alan Smith (a/k/a Angie). The family is very thankful for all of the many kind caregivers at both The Newport and Personal Touch Hospice who helped Elaine through the final stages of life. A funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Little Flower (in Bethesda, MD) at noon on December 23, 2014, with a reception to follow. Elaine will be laid to final rest on a later date, with Pat, at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Special Friends Exchange Club of Hampton, P.O. Box 8133, Hampton, VA 23666, or to any other favorite charity.