Mary Ann Paterson

Mary Ann Paterson was born May 13, 1924 in Altoona, Pennsylvania and passed away September 23, 2018 in Montgomery, Texas at the age of 94 after a long illness. Her love of family and friends, a strong commitment to her Catholic faith and her warm, caring nature that found expression in her work as a nurse were just some of the qualities for which she will always be remembered.

After graduating from Altoona Hospital Nursing School as a registered nurse she worked several years before marrying William (Bill) Paterson, who captured her heart with his sense of humor and goodness. She encouraged him to resume his studies and complete college following his service during the war and they married in 1949 and moved to Massachusetts for Bill’s new job, the first of many family moves over the years which took them to New Jersey, Illinois, Maryland and back to New Jersey.

Mary Ann was a loving wife and mother of 3 children, who made all holidays and birthdays special. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She worked hard to take care of home and family and was a gracious hostess when they entertained.

After all her children were school age, Mary Ann resumed her nursing career, working for a family practice doctor where she was much loved by patients and staff alike. Upon the doctor’s retirement she worked for another group of doctors until her retirement, after which she and Bill lived in North Carolina for 20 years before they moved to Texas. During retirement she and Bill remained active volunteering at a soup kitchen, supporting their church, studying and traveling widely, including regular visits to friends and their adult children and grandchildren in Texas, New York and Maine.

Mary Ann loved traveling, vacations at the seashore, stamp and coin collecting, playing bridge and giraffes. Trips to Greece, Egypt, Jerusalem, Australia and New Zealand were especially meaningful for her. She delighted in all children, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed playing games or cards with them. She was a great correspondent and stayed in contact with extended family and friends through the many family moves.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William F. Paterson, her parents, William Philip and Clara Loretta Fox Brown, Sr. and brother William (Billie) Philip Brown, Jr. and wife Edie. She is survived by her children: Martha Giani and husband Ajit of Austin, Texas, Mary Elizabeth Paterson of Montgomery, Texas and John Curtis Paterson and wife Lydia of Kings Park, New York; sister-in-law, Janet Shields and husband Robert of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren: Rachel Giani and husband Matthew Sherrill, Matthew Giani and wife Shadi, Courtney Paterson and Danielle Paterson; and great grandchildren: Lotus and Maxwell Giani-Sherrill and Clara and Leia Giani. In lieu of flowers the family request contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association and American Lung Association. She will be greatly missed and will stay in our hearts always. To leave written tributes for the family visit our website at www.cashnerconroe.com.