Ruth Ann Patterson

1930 - 2015

Ruth Ann Ferrari Patterson, 85, died in the early morning of June 16, 2015 at the Beaumont Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough from complications from atrial fibrillation. She leaves her sister Lucille (Ferrari) DeRago and brother-in-law John DeRago, her daughter Susan (Patterson) Condon and son-in-law Rich-ard Condon of Hopkinton, daughter Barbara Patterson and son-in-law Andrew Menkes of Hillsborough, CA., and her son Stephen Patterson of Braintree. Her seven grandchildren: Joshua, Caitlyn, Zachary, Noah, William, Chloe and Sarah and many friends. Born on Feb. 4, 1930 to Florence (Garbarino) Ferrari and James J. Ferrari in Reno Nevada and raised in Framingham and the Bronx where she met her husband Robert William Patterson deceased since June 6, 2003. She and her husband returned to reside in Framingham in 1975 where she was active in social and volunteer circles until entering the Willows independent living last year. She graduated from the Misericordia School of Nursing in 1950 and worked as a nurse throughout her career. In 1984 she graduated with a BS from the State University of New York, Albany and in 1989 an MS from the University of Massachusetts. She began her nursing career in a private practice; rising through increasing levels of responsibility she was appointed Director of Nursing at the Beth Israel Hospital in Brookline. With boundless love and limitless energy she balanced a warm family life with her three loving children and her husband with a fulfilling career. Her children remember her for bringing family and friends together in her home always prepared to set one more place at the table. Her professional associates remember her for her compassion, hard work and friendship. Many associates remember her as their mentor. She found time to contribute to professional and volunteer organizations; she was a member of the Boston chapter of the American Heart Association and the Visiting Nurse Association of Middlesex County. She was the recipient of multiple professional awards such as the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Heart Association and the Doctor Frist Humanitarian Award. A passionate gardener, she and her husband beautifully landscaped their home in Framingham. After retiring from Milford Hospital, she enjoyed her membership in the Framingham Garden Club. A memorial service will be held on Saturday July 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Warren Conference Center, 529 Chestnut Street, Ashland, MA. 01721. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in her name to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Boyle Bros. Funeral Home of Framingham assisted with arrangements.