Genevieve J. Patterson

Genevieve Patterson passed away on October 17, 2016 at home surrounded by her loved ones and family.  Genevieve was a well-traveled, lifelong Michigander who grew up in the thumb.  Born November 5, 1927. She spent her childhood in Sebewaing and Bay Port, and as a teenager she moved to Kinde, Michigan. There she met her high school sweetheart Ernest Patterson.  Genevieve graduated high school early at 16, and she and Ernest were married shortly after in Miami.  After World War II and her husband’s deployment ended, Genevieve and Ernest returned to Bad Axe.  All five of their children were born in Bad Axe, and then raised in Bad Axe, Alpena, and Detroit.  Genevieve moved to Northville in 1980 shortly before her husband’s passing.  Genevieve became a realtor and continued in the profession until she was 84.  A Mensa member and life-long learner, Genevieve was incredibly intelligent and enjoyed consistently besting generations of friends and family in Euchre, Pinochle, Scrabble, and other games of skill.  She gifted her family with hundreds of memories of late night games.  She was an avid lover of English and family history.  She could trace her family’s arrival to the US and recite every English monarch from 1066 on, backwards and forwards (she loved to say that no one could correct her if she was wrong anyway).  Some of Genevieve's happiest memories were her European travels, especially to London, and she passed a love of learning and travel on to all of her children and descendants.  Genevieve is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Patterson, as well as her sister Shirley and her brother George Helyer.  She is survived by her children: Don (Delly), Ernie, Pat, Steven Patterson and Cristine Doering, her grandchildren: Aaron (Amy) Patterson, Heidi (Edward) Drahos, John (Kimberley), Chris (Jennifer), and Ron (Melissa) Doering, and her great-grandchildren Josiah, Aidan, and Sydney Patterson, Luke and Jacob Drahos, Alex, Hunter, Karly, Kyle and Genevieve Doering.  A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 1pm until 3pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. A continued time of fellowship will follow at the American Legion Post 147, 101 West Dunlap, Northville, MI 48167. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the American Legion Post 147.