Gloria Margaret Patterson

Gloria Margaret Patterson, age 89 of Bend, Oregon, peacefully passed away on February 8, 2022. Gloria was born on August 22, 1932, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Elmer and Marie Bonsall. She was the youngest by a decade of three children, baby sister to Elaine and Lee. She grew up in a large, close-knit Irish family, where most of her relatives lived in the neighborhood. Going to Oriole baseball games and fishing with her dad were favorite pastimes, and weekend crab feeds were a regular social gathering for the clan. She attended Catholic schools, graduating from Seton High School in 1951, where she played sports, piano and the bass fiddle. She met the love of her life, Allan Patterson, while he was stationed in Baltimore during the Korean War. After enduring a two-year separation while Allan served in Japan, they became engaged and were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1956. They had two children, Gale and Gregg, and spent their early married years living near Washington, DC. In 1973, they moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington, where they took full advantage of the many outdoor adventures, including hiking, biking, skiing, sailing and birdwatching. As the children grew older, Gloria was finally able to pursue her dream of a career in healthcare and worked for several large medical groups in downtown Seattle, thoroughly enjoying her daily commute by ferry. Gloria and Allan both retired early to travel and spend more time with family around the country. Among their favorite international adventures were trips to Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, a Danube River boat cruise through Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as a train excursion through Mexico's Copper Canyon. In 2016, they moved to Bend, Oregon, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. On November 24, 2020, just two days after their 64th wedding anniversary, they were both diagnosed with COVID-19. Allan passed away from complications on December 30, 2020. Life without her lifelong partner was hard, but despite her own failing health, she continued to inspire us with her humor and optimism. Gloria was magical. She engaged everyone with her extraordinary smile and sincere interest. She captivated you with her warmth, her honesty and her love. She was the absolute best of mothers, grandmas and friends. She amused us with her stories, spoiled us with her cooking, delighted us with her num-nums, and entertained us with her sayings. She was the most kind, generous, and giving person we have ever known. Her heart was enormous and her spirit irreplaceable. She will be missed eternally. Gloria is survived by her children, Gale (& Gwil) Evans and Gregg (& Cece) Patterson, and her six grandchildren, Kacie, Jack, Nick (Evans) and Suzanne, Stacey, Shannon (Patterson). A celebration of life for both Gloria and Allan is planned for this September in Seattle. Contributions can be made to Partners in Care in Bend, Oregon.

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Gloria Margaret Patterson

August 22, 1932 - February 8, 2022