Mary Ruth Essex Patterson

Mary Ruth (Essex) Patterson, age 101, of Hilton Head Island, SC, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2017 surrounded by her many books. Born January 15, 1916 to the late Fred and Charlotte Essex, she grew up in Bexley, Ohio where she graduated from Columbus School for Girls and The Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, Mary Ruth was a member of Pi Beta Phi and was a life-long supporter of her sorority. She married James A. Patterson and raised her three sons in Upper Arlington, Ohio before moving to Hilton Head Island in 1980. A former member of Scioto Country Club, Mary Ruth was a founding member of Group Y of First Community Church, was a member of Childhood League and was the founder of the Pan Hellenic Luncheon Club of Tide Pointe on Hilton Head Island. Mary Ruth loved reading and also loved her dogs and cats. She was preceded in death by her husband James A. Patterson, her son Fred Patterson and her sister Marjorie Anderson. Mary Ruth is survived by her sons Philip F. Patterson and James A. Patterson, Jr.; niece Charlotte A. (Tim) Hollinger, nephew Miller Anderson, Jr., daughter-in-law Sherry (Dave) Berent; grandchildren: Tammy Backenstoe, Kathleen (Steve Seciliot) Patterson, Tim (Olivia) Patterson, Abigail Patterson, Allan Patterson, Mike (Melissa) McCreary, Walker (Dani) Patterson, Larke Patterson and Charlotte (Leo) Arsenault; great-grandchildren: Alex and Sam Backenstoe, Lexi, Molli and Hayli Patterson, Natalie and Noah McCreary, Riley and Alex Patterson, Lilah and Nolan Arsenault and Crystal and Will Anderson; great-nieces and great-nephews: Zack (Diane) Thomas, Miller (Pam) Hollinger, Parker Hollinger, Tyler (Brittney) Hollinger and Hunter Hollinger, great-great nieces and nephews: Sydney, Jake and Riley Thomas, Heidi and Miller Hollinger, Mayson and Hayes Hollinger; her life-long friend Tanny Gustafson and her dear friend Charles Johnson. Private Family Services will be held with burial following at Sunset Cemetery, Galloway, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to consider contributions in Mary Ruth’s memory be made to the Hilton Head Humane Association, 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 or on-line at www.HHHumane.org. The Tidd Family Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard, OH 43026 (614)-876-1722, assisted the family. Please visit www.tiddfuneralservice.com to send condolences to the Patterson Family.