Helen was born on April 16, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Leola Rose Moore Sullivan and Maurice G. Sullivan. Her early childhood was spent on a small farm on Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte, NC. Helen graduated from Central High School in 1948 and then attended college in Bryn Mar, PA. Her fiery red hair soon caught the attention of a young man, William Robert Patterson, who became the love of her life. Bill and Helen were married September 15, 1949, and spent most of their married life in Charlotte. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage until Bill’s passing in 2010.
Over the years, Helen worked as a portrait colorist and as a lab technician at Presbyterian Hospital. The main focus of her life however, was her family and friends. Her gentleness of spirit, love and devotion were a blessing to many.
Helen was predeceased by her parents and husband, as well as her two brothers, Maurice C. Sullivan and Edward L. Sullivan.
She is survived by her children, William Robert Patterson, Jr. of Concord, NC, Kathleen Patterson Buckfelder (Rob) of Charlotte, Richard Brian Patterson (Karen) of Concord, NC and Cynthia Lynn Patterson of Morganton, NC; grandchildren, Stephen Cole Buckfelder (Cristina) of Charlotte, Laura Alexandra Buckfelder of Charlotte, Elizabeth Robbins Buckfelder of Washington, DC, and Michael Ryan Patterson of Concord; great-grandchildren, Charlotte Elizabeth Buckfelder and Robert Qubein Buckfelder. She is also survived by a very special brother and sister-in-law, Richard M. and Helen Anne Patterson of Charlotte.
A memorial service celebrating Helen’s life will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018, at 2:30 pm in the Plantation Estates Clubhouse, 720 Oak Terrace Court, Matthews, NC 28105, with a reception immediately following.
Memorials may be made to the J Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, c/o Volunteer Services 300 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655 (www.JIRDC.org) or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 205 Regency Executive Park Dr. Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28217 (www.JDRF.org).
