STILLWATER - Her mission in life reached its full potential when that mission ended on the very same day that it was begun. Sadly passing on her 84th birthday, Betty Jean Patterson, was born December 30, 1932 in Lamont, Oklahoma, to Emma and Ralph Ehlers. She was married to Arthur T. Patterson, who sadly passed away in 2013. Together she and Art raised three children: John Patterson of Ballston Lake, Jo-Ann (Robert) Winchell, and Jane (Gilbert) Travis, all of Stillwater. Betty helped raise her seven grandchildren; Scott, Kori, Jill, Kasey, Tyler, Eric, and Rebecca. Affectionately known as GG, Betty was blessed with three great grandchildren: Grace, Stone and Rose Emma.
Betty will be remembered for many things. To those with strong work ethic, they will appreciate that Betty graduated young and relocated to Washington D.C. at age 17 to take a position cataloging President Truman’s mail, later working decades for Korrell Corporation in Mechanicville, NYS Dept. of Tax & Finance, NYS ENCON, and Original Works. She officially retired in 2003 to care for her husband.
To those who appreciate volunteering and joining, Betty enjoyed serving as a guide at the Stillwater Blockhouse, as an officer with the Arvin Hart Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Post #490 events, Stillwater Historical Society, McVille-Stillwater Bowling Leagues, Stillwater Democrats, and most recently, the Stillwater Seniors, and Halfmoon Senior organizations.
In her spare time Betty enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and crocheting and card crafting. Saturday afternoons were spent watching sports, especially football. She cheered for her beloved OU “Sooners”, often speaking with her brothers and sister via telephone for play-by-play commentary.
Above all, Betty was a soldier’s wife. Together with her husband, whom she met in 1952 at Fort Belvoir in Washington DC, they would serve this nation for more than 60 years. Like Art, Betty served as an officer on national committees promoting veteran awareness and recognition. They traveled around the United States to reunions and conventions, greeting fellow patriots and sharing ideas and stories. One project in particular she was most proud of was the creation of a National Monument - The Korean War Veterans Memorial which was dedicated in 1995. In later years they continued to meet monthly with local KWVA and American Legion organizations.
Betty is survived by her children and their families, as well as brothers Charles Schiller of Fort Morgan, Colorado, and Richard (Marilyn) Ehlers, of Oklahoma City, and sister Patsy (Jim) McWilliams of Edmond, Oklahoma and a sister-in-law, Catherine June Vano of Saratoga Springs. Across the miles, she is survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Locally, Betty’s life was enriched with her many friends, especially her life-long friendships with Mary Bailey, Beverly Fossett, Carol Slocum, and Kay Cassier, all of Stillwater.
In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was predeceased by her sisters Dorothy and Mildred, in-laws Donna Schiller, Thomas Vano, Robert and Jean Patterson, John (Bing) and Mary Patterson, Eileen and Earl Antolick, daughter-in-law Diane Patterson, and nephew Robert Patterson.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wed., Jan 4th at Noon at All Saints on the Hudson Church (St. Peter’s), Hudson Ave., Stillwater, with burial to follow at Saratoga National Cemetery.
Calling hours on Tuesday, Jan. 3rd at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville from 4-7 PM.
In Lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871 or The Community Hospice Foundation, Gift Processing Center,310 S. Manning BLVD. Albany, NY 12208 in memory of Betty Jean Patterson.

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