Marilyn Pierson Patterson of Kansas City, Mo., died on August 1, 2012, after a brief illness. Born Jan. 17, 1925, to Marie and Elmer Pierson, she lived all her life in Kansas City. She married John Doyle Patterson on Feb. 15, 1950. He died March 31, 2004. Marilyn graduated from Sunset Hill School and received a BA from Smith College in 1946. She earned a Master's Degree in Education from UMKC. Mrs. Patterson had a long-time interest in volunteer work. She was a President of the Kansas City Junior League and on the Central Governing Board of Children's Mercy Hospital. She served on the boards of the Crippled Children's Nursery School (now Children's TLC), the Westport Garden Club, and the Sunset Hill School. In addition, she was a longtime member of the Friends of the Library of UMKC and served a term as its President. In 2006, Mrs. Patterson and her family made a gift of a fountain garden to Powell Gardens. An avid reader, in 1962 she started a book club that continues to this day. She was similarly devoted to a second book club and to her many friends. She enjoyed traveling and visited Europe, Egypt, and South America. She especially liked trips to New York City, where she was thrilled to watch the great Russian ballerina Nina Ananiashvili dance in Swan Lake. Mrs. Patterson is survived by three daughters, Mildred Patterson Grossman, Ellen Aisenbrey, and Margot Patterson; her sons-in-law, Marc Grossman and John Aisenbrey; four beloved granddaughters, a grandson-in-law, and a great grandson. She also leaves her sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Austin Marquis of Denver, Colo., and their family. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, KCMO. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday Aug. 6, at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main Street. Burial services will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to UMKC's Miller Nichols Library, 5100 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City MO 64110; Powell Gardens, 1609 NW U.S. Highway 50, Kingsville, MO 64061, or any library of your choice. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.stineandmcclure.com Arr.: Newcomer's Sons Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, Kansas City, MO 64109. D.W. Newcomer's Sons Funeral Homes, Cemeteries, Crematories.816-931-7777 www.stineandmcclure.com
Published in Kansas City Star on August 3, 2012