Joan Marie Patterson

Just shy of her 95th Birthday, Joan Marie Patterson (nee Cargill) passed away peacefully in her Woonsocket home on Saturday June 28, with family at her side.

She was born on July 10, 1930 in Melrose (MA), the daughter of Francis and Eileen (Keefe) Cargill, less than a year after the start of the great Depression. Joan was the oldest of 5 children and, as with many families in those years, life was not easy. She took on great responsibility at a very young age, ministered to her younger siblings, helped her mother with chores, and nonetheless looked forward to having her own family one day.

Joan attended St. Mary’s Catholic High School and, after graduating, launched herself into the Boston business world in 1948. A quick study and a diligent worker, she got along with everyone, and was never without a job. She acted in a secretarial capacity for a couple of different banks, and a legal office over the course of her work years – before meeting her husband-to-be, Hedley V. Patterson III. The two were members of a Catholic Youth Group at their church honoring St. Francis of Assisi (The Assisians.) They also happened to live across the street from each other in Medford (MA.)

They courted and were inseparable from that point on. Joan married Hedley in June of 1954, moved to a sweet little house in Wellesley (MA) and they welcomed their first child (a boy, Mark) in August of 1955. Their daughter (Miriam) was born in March of 1957, and they moved their little family of four to Woonsocket (RI) a few months later. 

Though a remarkably resilient woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage, dignity and faith, Joan was a fairly reserved and private person.  She was a loyal and supportive spouse, and a true partner in her marriage to Hedley. She quietly stood by his side, ever graceful and poised - but was not afraid to make shrewd observations and suggestions in private. She, in fact, helped steer him through a few important career moves, that contributed to his successful tenure with the City of Woonsocket - as District Engineer in the Blackstone Valley.

She was the ‘glue’ that kept house and family together - a capable, committed mom. She “took care of things,” and always put family needs before her own. She dried the tears, split up the spats, sewed a lot of special holiday clothing, helped with homework, school projects, etc. – all of it in ADDITION to cooking, cleaning, washing, house maintenance, and myriad other needful tasks of the era… and STILL, dinner was ready and on the table by 6pm when Hedley returned home. She made a point of family always eating dinner together and, was known for her extraordinary cheese souffles and apple pies!

Joan was also involved in community during those years. She was devoted to Sacred Heart Parish – the church + their school back then – and volunteered for countless committees. She was an avid gardener, and a long-time member of the Woonsocket Garden Club - with a knack for nurturing African Violets. 

Once their two children had ‘left the nest’ however, Joan and Hedley embarked on a new chapter in their lives – where they dabbled (quite seriously) in buying/selling antiques and collectibles. There were occasional weekend shows before dad retired, and then more frequent set-ups when both were officially ‘at leisure’. They were active members of SNEADA (Southeastern New England Antique Dealers Assn.) Hedley occasionally prepared and gave keynote lectures on topics of interest at the events, especially on American Art Pottery and Ceramics (Joan’s influence…  and her specialty!) It was constant fascination for them, ongoing learning, and a nice little post-retirement income stream. (Mom had a REALLY good eye!)

In later years, after Hedley passed, Joan continued to focus on antique shows – though with diminishing frequency. Incredibly though, she continued to do a few outdoor summer set-ups (with her daughter’s help) into her 94th year. She had extraordinary determination, patience and perseverance. 

In addition to being pre-deceased by her parents, Joan lost her beloved Hedley in December of 2009 after 55 years of marriage. She was pre-deceased by three brothers as well – Paul (and wife Josephine – Saugus, MA), John (and wife Jane – Stoneham, MA) and her youngest brother, Francis Cargill, who passed away some years after returning from the Korean War. 

Sadly, Joan was also predeceased by her son, Mark F. Patterson (of Newtown, PA) who lost a 5-year battle with Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer) in 2011. 

Joan is survived by daughter Miriam G. Patterson of New York (NY), as well as her sister, Eileen Pickering, of Grafton, MA. 

Joan has left a loving legacy in her three granddaughters – Lauren Patterson and (partner) Kim Bulifant (Marlton, NJ), Allison and (husband) Brian VanVreede (Perkasie, PA) and Emma M. Patterson (New York, NY.) She has also been delighted to welcome six great grandchildren into her life these past 12+ years, and has greatly cherished her time spent with each of them.  (Crosbie VanVreede, Matthew & Mason Patterson-Bulifant, and Howie, Nathan and Cassidy VanVreede.) There are a host of beloved nieces, nephews and cousins sprinkled across the country, too…  but way too numerous to list!!

Joan Patterson was a quietly amazing woman, who will be very much missed by all who knew and loved her... but, she will live on in our memories – and is firmly rooted in our hearts forever.

A wake for Joan will be held at O’Neill Funeral Home on Mendon Road in Cumberland, on Monday evening the 7th of July from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Holy Trinity Parish (1409 Park Ave in Woonsocket) the following morning at 10:00 AM (Tuesday July 8,) and she will be laid to eternal rest (beside her dear Hedley) at 1:00 PM that same afternoon, in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joan M. Patterson’s Memory to Boston’s PBS Station, WGBH.org (note: This was mom and dad’s go-to TV station for over half a century. They contributed yearly, and it brought them much comfort and companionship – especially in later life.)