Elizabeth “Betsy” Patterson was born to Emil and Bertha Hollmuller at their Pittsburgh, PA home, delivered by her father Emil, on August 16, 1934.  She passed away peacefully on April 30, 2017 in Ft. Myers, FL with her loving husband of 62 years, Robert “Bob” Patterson by her side.

Betsy is further survived by her brother Jim Hollmuller; children Deb (Ron) Ralya, Rich (Tonna) Patterson and Jim (Jenna) Patterson; grandchildren Kari (Jason) Shaevitz, Melissa (Tim) Geerts, Kaitlyn (Addison) Brown, Paris and Ava Patterson; great grandchildren Alexander and Adriene Shaevitz, Reed Geerts and Emelia Brown; and nieces/nephews Glenn (Ellana) Hollmuller, Bruce (Virginia) Hollmuller, Sue (Ian) Helfgott, Bob (Donna) Thomas, Jeff (Bonnie) Thomas, Mike (Chris) Thomas and their children and grandchildren. Betsy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Marianne Thomas.

Sitting in the shade on their Special Bench at the beach in Ft. Myers, Betsy and Bob often reminisced about growing up in Pittsburgh and the street car rides, spooky walks past a cemetery and long steep climbs up Mathilda Street eagerly faced by young Bob to visit Betsy. While attending Peabody High School (Class of ’52), Betsy's sweet smile kept customers coming back for rainbow cookies and other bakery treats at her family’s McIntyre Cake Shop and her baton skills secured her role as Peabody’s head majorette.  

Following high school, Betsy worked as a secretary prior to her marriage to Bob on September 9, 1954 at Smithfield United Church of Christ. The following 4th of July, daughter Debra Ann was born. A few years later they all moved to Greensburg, PA where Richard Brian was born and where Betsy's love of music and gift of playing piano by ear drew her to sing soprano in the church choir.  When Bob's work took them to Acton, MA, Betsy enjoyed the adventures of being a Girl Scout leader, helping girls earn badges in cooking and sewing utilized Betsy's talents. The family moved to Jackson, MI in 1966 and James Robert was born shortly thereafter.

Jackson, Michigan was Betsy’s home for 35 years before she and Bob moved to Ft. Myers. Betsy’s beloved cocker spaniel, Brandee joined the family on Christmas Eve 1973. Betsy loved Brandee as she had loved her dog Rags as a child. Betsy lovingly tended to pink perennials outside their suburban home and routinely put a delicious dinner on the table at 6 pm. Betsy became an accomplished bowler and golfer and enjoyed bowling league and golf leagues with Bob and friends. Photo Marketing Association's office in Jackson gained a well-rounded executive secretary when Betsy joined their staff in 1985 and Betsy proved that shorthand skills never do go out of style.

When Betsy and Bob moved to Ft. Myers, the beach and bingo were ways to enjoy the warmth and friends. Betsy didn't like to get sand on her feet, but she loved the beach, especially the Special Bench that will forever be Betsy and Bob’s.

At Betsy’s request, no memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hope Hospice, www.hopehospice.org , or Alzheimer’s Disease Research, www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers .

Please visit www.harvey-engelhardt.com to leave a condolence to Betsy’s family.

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