Emily Lovelace Patterson (1942 - 1984)

Born 7 Nov 1942 in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Died 14 Aug 1984 at age 41 in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky, United States

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Biography

This biography was written as a memorial for friends and family of Emily in 1984.

Emily Lovelace Patterson

The Patterson family was saddened by the loss of one of its dearest members in the passing of Emily on Thursday, August 16, 1984, at her home in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Funeral services were held on Saturday morning at the St. Andrew's Catholic Church. Father Osborne, a special friend of Emily's, officiated, assisted by Father Schumann. Burial followed in Spring Hill Cemetery. A large gathering of Emily's associates and co-workers, friends of the family, and special friends of Emily's from near and far attended. The family wishes to thank everyone for the expressions of sympathy exttended to us by her friends and associates who gathered to pay their last respects. Her family is deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and heartfelt sympathy expressed at this time.

Emily was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky on November 7, 1942. She attended the Harrodsburg City School until age 13, when the family moved to Mexico City, Mexico in 1956. She continued her education at the American School Foundation, Mexico City, until she was stricken with polio at age 17. While hospitalized, Emily completed her high school work and was graduated with honors. Beginning at the University of the Americas in Mexico, Emily received her Bachelor's degree Summa Cum Laude in Psychology from Mankato State University in 1974 and was currently pursuing her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Kentucky.

In 1978 the Pattersons moved back to Kentucky from Mexico and Emily began to search for employment. She joined the staff at the Poineer Vocational Industrial Workshop in Danville, Kentucky, as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. In this capacity, she worked with individuals with a variety of physical and mental disabilities. Emily was employed by the Workshop for four years. She was also an accomplished mouth artist. Emily's works, in a variety of media, from pastels to oils, have graced the covers of greeting cards and been included on stationery and calendars throughout the world.

Emily was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, the Association of Handicapped Artists based in Valduz, Liechtenstein, the John Edwards Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served as a board member of the Vocational Rehabilitation Commission of Kentucky. In 1982, Emily was selected as Kentuckian of the Year by the Department of Human Resources, and in 1984 was honored by Mankato State University with their Humanitarian Award.

Emily possessed a magnetic personality, and her courage and determination were ever-present. Many were touched by her infectious good humor and her love of life which brought new hope and inspiration to those about her. Emily was so very special and the family so very fortunate that we had her to share. We will miss her specialness and her smile, the love and purpose she radiated throughout our daily lives. We thank God we were chosen to be her family, and we are all richer by the fact that she passed our way.

Sources

• Interviews with mother, Mary Patterson Farmer (1990s)

• Interviews with sister, Mary Patterson Blaise (1990s)

• Interviews with sister, Living Sheppard (1990s-present)

• Findagrave memorial [1]