Obituary of Vivian Patterson

VIVIAN (THATCHER) PATTERSON - BURLINGTON - Vivian Thatcher Patterson, our loving mother, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, after a graceful, brave hold on life with advanced heart disease. She was born in Plainfield, Mass., on April 28, 1925, the daughter of the late Charles and Clara (Thayer) Thatcher. She grew up on the family farm in Plainfield. Vivian graduated from Northampton High School in 1943 and the Child's Hospital Nursing School, Albany, N.Y., in 1945. She worked as a nurse in Massachusetts before moving to Vermont in 1961. Beginning in 1964, she was a nurse at Fletcher Allen Health Care, working there for 36 years. In 1965, she bought a home in Burlington being one of the first women to get a mortgage. She was an active volunteer starting as a Camp Fire Girl Leader, and after retirement for Meals on Wheels, RSVP, and the Champlain Senior Center. Her hobbies included hiking (she reached more than 35 mountain tops with her daughter, Teena), bowling, genealogy, crocheting, needlepoint, rug hooking, and traveling. Most important to her and the essence of her life was her family. She so loved family, extended family, and her many dear friends. She is survived by her children: son, Donald Patterson of Carthage, N.Y., daughter, Nancy Church and husband, Rick, of Castleton, son, Leighton Patterson and wife, Mary, of Milton, and by her daughter, Teena Lanpher and husband, Warren, of Wheelock. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Vivian was predeceased by six siblings and their spouses; and many nieces and nephews. Vivian's family extends special thanks to the cardiac doctors and nurses at Fletcher Allen, and to dear friends and neighbors, the Zeno Family. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ready Funeral & Cremation Service South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. A funeral service will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at 11 a.m. with burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery. To send online condolences to the family please visit www.readyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Vivian's memory to the Champlain Senior Center, 241 No. Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT 05401.