Alberta "Birdie" Patterson

02/10/1910 - 03/06/2013

Alberta "Birdie"
(LaPrise) Patterson
Alberta "Birdie" (LaPrise) Patterson was born February 10, 1910 and passed peacefully into heavenly rest on March 6, 2013 at 103 years old. She was born in Detroit, Michigan to parents of French-Canadian descent. In her youth, she spent many happy childhood days visiting her grandmother in River Rouge, climbing cherry trees and sleeping in a huge feather bed. She attended Catholic schools through high school, and after some college she joined her father in the car business. Together, they operated a Cadillac dealership in Detroit, with Birdie working in the finance department and occasionally running the show while her dad attended one of his beloved Detroit Tigers baseball games.
After WWII, Birdie met Roy "Pat" Patterson and they returned to Pat's home state of California to spend their married life. Pat was a pilot for American Airlines (his original Pilot's license was signed by Orville Wright) and during his time off from American, he and Birdie traveled as much as possible - to Hawaii, Tokyo, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Canada, and more. This was during the golden age of air travel and Birdie loved flying "first class". At home in Southern California, she volunteered at local hospitals and other charitable organizations. After retiring from American Airlines, Pat flew Walt Disney's private jet for a time, and Birdie and Pat attended the grand opening of Disney World in Florida along with Birdie's parents - a real treat.
In their retirement years, Birdie and Pat moved to Santa Maria and met wonderful neighbors who became life-long friends. Pat passed away in 1995, just after he and Birdie celebrated 49 years of marriage. In 2000, Birdie moved to Arbor View (now Merrill Gardens) in Santa Maria and was their first resident. She liked to say "I was the first one through the door!" She lived at Merrill Gardens until her passing and was lovingly cared for by all of the wonderful staff there. Jovita Armenta, Birdie's friend and caregiver, was also extremely important to Birdie, and she missed her very much after Jovita's passing in 2012.
Birdie had a wonderful spirit, a great sense of adventure, and loved to tell a good story. She was truly one-of-a-kind. She is survived by her niece, Francie (Charles) Giroux of Texas. She joins her parents, brother Louis, husband Pat, and all of her cherished dogs from over the years, in Heaven.
There will be a Rosary in the Chapel at Merrill Gardens, 1220 Suey Road, Santa Maria, California on Thursday, March 14th at 7:00pm. A private Mass will be held on Friday, March 15th followed by interment and blessing at 10:00am at the Dudley Hoffman Memory Garden, 1003 East Stowell Road, Santa Maria, California.
Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary Crematory and Memory Gardens.

Dudley-Hoffman
Mortuary & Crematory
(805) 922-8463
www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com