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In Memoriam: Sandra R. Patterson (Aug. 17, 1937 – March 12, 2022)

Sandra Patterson of Silverton passed away March 12, 2022 at the age of 84 from congestive heart failure. Her final days were spent at home, surrounded by the love of family and friends and her beloved pets.

Sandi was born in Biddeford, Maine to Catherine (Arnold) and Meredith Littlefield. She was the eldest of three daughters and grew up in Kennebunk. In her early teens she moved to central California with an aunt and uncle, where she completed high school and went on to earn an Associates degree in Art at UC Davis.

In her early 20s she made a trip to Japan to visit her aunt, where she met and married an American Air Force Airman. Upon their return to the States, they lived on air bases in South Carolina and Alabama and had a son and a daughter in the early 1960s. As their whirlwind romance came to an end, Sandi and her two youngsters returned to California for a fresh start and to reconnect with old friends.

In 1966 she married John L. Patterson and they eventually settled in Northridge. John worked for the City of Beverly Hills in traffic control and Sandi worked for Ross-Loos Medical Group. In the early 1970s they became parents to a daughter. By the late ‘70s, they were ready to leave the big city and seek out small town life. In 1976, a cross country road trip to Maine gave them the opportunity to check out small town America from coast to coast. Ultimately, they chose to settle in Silverton in 1979, after falling in love with the Pacific Northwest.

John started Patterson Electric and Sandi went to work at the Schmidt Clinic. She eventually became the office manager at Mt. Angel Chiropractic until her retirement.

Sandi was involved in the Silverton Arts Association and delighted that the Fine Art Festival was held on or near her birthday weekend each year. Her earlier artworks were charcoal sketches and oils, and in later years she enjoyed working with watercolors. She made and supported many friends in the art community.

Sandi was a sunshine girl and loved working in her yard in spring and summer. She enjoyed painting in natural sunlight and loved the color yellow. She was also an avid reader. Fall and winter were spent curled up by the fire with her nose in a book – most often set on an east coast beach. Her home held an open door policy. Everyone was welcome and loved. Her true art was the nurturing of her kids and grandkids. Enough so, that family get-togethers were a frequent occurrence and everybody stayed close enough to visit often. She was home base.

When she retired from the chiropractic community, she helped care for John who had a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

After his passing in 2010, she returned to her painting and friends in the community, finding solace in her art. She loved her rambling old house, trips to the beach and spoiling her grandkids. Her home was filled with sunlight, art, jazz music, people, pets and paperbacks.

Sandi is preceded in death by her husband, John and her sister Joan Dennett of Kennebunk, Maine.

She is survived by her children: son, Jamie (Lori) Patterson; daughter, Deede Williams and daughter, Janet Patterson – all of Silverton; sister, Elaine Davis of New Jersey; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Arrangements are through Unger’s Funeral Chapel. At her request, no funeral service will be held. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, please celebrate mom’s life by supporting the arts community and helping to nurture young artists and gardeners alike.