Kathleen E. Patterson

Mrs. Kathleen "Kay" Elise (Gagnon) Patterson, 80, of Apple Valley, California, peacefully passed away on June 9, 2009, at her home. Born December 6, 1928 in Derry, New Hampshire, daughter of John and Grace (Ettridge) Gagnon.She graduated from Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH, in 1947. Kay began training for her lifelong career of Nursing. She attended Englewood (NJ) Hospital School of Nursing in 1950, and after graduation, she worked as a nurse. In 1955, she entered the US Air Force as a Flight Nurse and "Captain Patterson" was stationed in Wichita, KS, Tachikawa, Japan, George AFB in Victorville, CA, and Kindley, Bermuda. During her service, she met and married Norman A. Patterson, a pilot from South Chicago, Illinois. After eight years of service, she returned to New Hampshire to start their family.In 1966, she returned to college and in 1969, with two small children, she earned her Bachelors of Science, Nursing degree. In 1970, she became an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, MA. She furthered her education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst receiving a Masters Degree in 1977. In 1977, she became a Nursing Lecturer at Fresno State University. Retiring from Fresno State in 1992, she moved back to her beloved High Desert. She then started her third career – she became the Assistant Director at Barstow College. After Barstow, she became "The Traveling Director of Nursing" and went on to Victor Valley College, Santa Monica College, and the College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA. She finally returned to the High Desert in 1997 and retired to a quiet life of travel, bingo, and spoiling her beloved grandchildren, Mark and Tommy.Kay was a member of Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church. She was Vice-President of the Military Officers Association of America, and a founding member of the local American Legion Post #0256. She was an active life member of the Apple Valley Senior Citizens Club.She is survived by her son David Patterson of Dana Point, CA and daughter Grace Patterson of Apple Valley, CA; her sister-in-law Muriel Gagnon of Exeter, CA and her brother-in-law Wilfred Bernier of Derry, NH; grandchildren David Mark and Thomas John Patterson of Dana Point, CA and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her father and mother John and Grace Gagnon, her brothers James and John, her sister Louise Bernier, and her ex-husband Norman.A Rosary prayer service will be held on Tuesday, June 16th from 6 – 8 PM. A celebration of her life and Mass of Christian burial will be 10AM Wednesday, June 17th at Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church in Apple Valley, CA. Private burial rites will be held at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley and Holy Cross Cemetery in Londonderry, NH.Donations in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.Victor Valley Mortuary of Victorville, CA is in charge of the arrangements.