MARGUERITE SAUNDERS PATTERSON

1957 - 2021

On August 20, 2021, we lost our beloved Marguerite Saunders Patterson, who passed away at the age of 64 after battling a rare and fatal brain disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She was surrounded by her cherished family.

Marguerite was born on March 14, 1957 in San Antonio, Texas. She was the youngest daughter of Margaret "Peggy" and John "Tommy" Saunders. She would go on to attend The University of Texas at Austin joining the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Interior Design. After college, she returned to Texas, and had three children with her first husband Colin Campbell, and later married the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Patterson. Marguerite and Bob moved to Canyon Lake to raise and expand their young family, introducing them to their passionate pursuits of art, ceramics, and simple country living. During this time, Marguerite founded her sterling silver jewelry business, "Sweet Pea's Garden". After moving back to San Antonio to raise their children, Marguerite continued to create handmade silver jewelry often generously donating pieces to charities and community fundraisers. She was somehow able to strike the perfect balance between being a football mom, a master gardener, and a member of the Neon Shakers Band, which she founded with her husband Bob.

If you didn't have the opportunity to know Marguerite personally, chances are you've seen her driving down Austin Highway in "White Lightning", her 1974 Oldsmobile convertible with the top down singing every word to Jimmy Buffet's songs with her golden retriever by her side. Marguerite and Bob lived life with love and zest, an inspiration to all who knew them.

Marguerite's hobbies were vast. She loved "beaching up" with family and friends in Port Aransas and brought that love of carefree living into her everyday life in San Antonio. Her friends love telling stories about the way she hosted annual neighborhood winter and summer solstice parties, encouraging everyone around her to lean into the magic spirit of the moment. She found great joy, pride, and purpose in cultivating her beautiful gardens, her artistic endeavors, and shared a cheery optimism and positive outlook on life with everyone she knew.

In 2010, Marguerite took great pride in the gift of becoming a grandmother. The way "Sweet Pea" held her first grandchild, sang to and doted on her was awe-inspiring.

The world is happier, more grounded, more beautiful, and so much brighter because Margaret "Marguerite" Rutledge Saunders Patterson was in it. Marguerite is survived by her beloved soulmate and husband, Bob Patterson. Her siblings John T. Saunders, Jr. (wife Laurie), Susan Saunders, Terry Bacon (husband Dan), and Linda Hill (husband Herb). Children: Cameron Campbell (wife Anne), Trenton Campbell, Stuart Campbell (husband T.J. Martin), Will Patterson and Adriana Salinas, Maggie Patterson Ainsworth (husband Keaton). Grandchildren Marguerite, Cora, and Anders Campbell.

Marguerite's family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Juana Sepeda and Mary Becerra for their tremendous love and caring support over the last years.

Due to Covid precautions, there will not be a service. Donations may be made to CurePSP.org or to the San Antonio Botanical Garden, where Marguerite trained to be a Master Gardener.