Obituary of Jean T. Patterson

Jean (Thompson) Patterson, 91, died peacefully and with grace on the morning of June 1 in her home in Mendham NJ, with the love of God and her family surrounding her.

Jean was born on August 24, 1926 in Morristown, NJ, to Lemuel and Madeleine Thompson. She lived her childhood in a Victorian home next to Washington’s Headquarters. She went to George Washington school and graduated from Morristown High School. She was always proud of her family’s long heritage in the town. Her father was the child welfare director. Her grandfather and Caroline Foster’s ( re Fosterfields) mother were sister and brother. In 1948 she married the love of her life, Harold Patterson (also from Morristown) and they were married for 68 years.

Jean had many dreams, but foremost was to have a family.  She loved children and was blessed with three children, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. She often looked around at family gatherings and remarked, “look what we’ve done”. Jean was an amateur artist, beautiful gardener, and animal lover. Up until a week before her death you could always find her either raking outside or painting. Along the way she has had a horse, goat, ducks, cats, and more than 20 dogs. Her love of the ocean led her to a house in Atlantic Highlands, NJ and a 38 ft. Trawler that she and her husband bought and docked in Atlantic Highlands and Hilton Head, SC. She and Harry also bought a motor home and traveled mostly on the east coast.

Jean was a lifelong Episcopalian, serving over the years on the Vestry, the Altar Guild, and singing in the choir. Most recently she was a member of St. Luke’s Church, Gladstone. She was a past volunteer for Meals on Wheels (serving in Morristown at its inception and in Mendham). She served on the board of the Salvation Army, Morristown, and volunteered at the Market Street Mission. She also was a past member of the Morris County Art Association and Washington Valley Twigs.

Jean is survived by her loving family, children Gloria Lawrence (Austin), of Southern Shores, NC; Cindy Burke(Peter), Mendham, NJ; and Harold Patterson(Karen), Beaufort, SC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Christopher Lawrence, (Mary Moyer), Scott Lawrence, (Susan), Bryan Lawrence (Alexandra), Timothy Burke, Kelly McKinlay,(Bill), Corey Burke(Ashley) and Drew Patterson. Further survived by her great grandchildren, Amelia Lawrence, Christopher Brennan, Travis and Giana Lawrence, Gabriel and JP McKInlay, Connor and Brooke Burke, Marley and Sawyer Patterson, and future Bryan Lawrence, Jr. and her beloved dog, Skipper.

Service will be 10 o’clock Tuesday, June 5 at St. Luke’s Church, Gladstone. Donations may be made to St. Luke’s Church, Gladstone, NJ; Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, Ledgewood, NJ; or the VNA of Somerset Hills.