Mary Patterson

Tell City, Indiana - Mary Rita Patterson, 91, passed away January 9, 2016 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville. She was born in Tell City, April 2, 1924 daughter of the late Roman and Agnes (Jones) Gaesser. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Joseph L. Patterson in 1969, and grandson, Cody Brahm, in 2007. Mary Rita was a 1942 graduate of Tell City High School, then worked at the Evansville Shipyard during World War II. She was a former member of Tell City Fireman Auxiliary and a member of Faye's Follies Band. Mary Rita had been the director of the Perry County Chapter American Red Cross from 1955-1970, where she valued assisting many servicemen during the Vietnam War. Mary Rita directed the disaster plan during the crash of the Electra airplane near Millstone. In 1957, she was instrumental in starting the Gray Ladies, a volunteer program for Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church. Mary Rita was a charter member of Epsilon Omega Chapter Kappa Kappa Kappa and has been an associate member since then 1981. She retired from Tell City Housing Authority as the Executive Director in 1989 after 19 years. Mary Rita was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church Quilters and enjoyed crafts, playing bridge, traveling, watching professional tennis and I.U. basketball. But most important to her was spending time with her family. She is survived by her children; Sam Patterson (Pat), Owensboro, Kentucky, Jody Patterson, Tell City, Vicci Jo Mueller (Lee), Memphis, Tennessee and Jo Rita Bishop (Tony), Lebanon, Tennessee; grandchildren, Danielle Fogle (Derek), Amy Patterson, Caty Cooper, Casey Stutsman (Zach), Stephanie Mueller and Beth Ann Stafford (Anthony) and five great grandchildren, Ella, Jaycee, Jordyn, Caden and Austin, and her caregiver, Marsha Huck. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Thursday, January 14, 2015, at St. Paul Catholic Church with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Rev. Dennis Duvelius will officiate. Visitation will be from 3:00 until 7:00 PM on Wednesday and from 8:30 until 9:30 AM Thursday at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church or American Red Cross, Perry County Chapter.