Obituary of Mary Ella Patterson

   AIKEN, SC – Mary Ella Patterson passed on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the age of 91.  

 

   Mary was the beloved wife of George and the cherished mother of Janice (Guy) Cramb, Suzanne (John) Nemeth, and the late Bruce Patterson. She was the adored grandma of Lindsay (Jenn) Patterson, Ryan Cramb, Alaina (Sam) Cramb, Evelyn Roka, and Savannah (Stuart) Nemeth. 

 

   Born on April 22, 1931, to the late Julius and Ella Sobonya, Mary grew up in Detroit, the proud big sister of the late Walter Sobonya and the late Paul (Penny) Sobonya. She married George Alexander Patterson on June 7, 1952, and they recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Mary always marveled at how her 19-year-old self was so smart, knowing that the wonderful young man at the dance would be the one. She often fondly reminisced about their first date on her birthday at Zehnder's Restaurant in Frankenmuth, Michigan, famous for all-you-can-eat chicken dinners, with both of them too giddy and nervous to eat.

 

   Mary was such a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a voracious reader and enthusiastic game player, always enjoying a round of Bridge, Scrabble, Hand and Foot, or party games with her family. She also spent many years enjoying golf, and she was thrilled to live on the golf course at Cedar Creek in Aiken, South Carolina, the past 24 years. George and Mary chose Cedar Creek to be closer to their daughters in Georgia, but they fell in love with the community, making dear friends. In fact, Mary’s calendar was so full of community groups, leagues, and activities during their early years at Cedar Creek that it was sometimes hard for Jan and Suzie to squeeze in a visit! Family and friends meant the world to Mary. Even during the darkest times of her illness, she expressed joy daily, saying she was the luckiest lady because she had so many people to love.

 

   Mary will be honored & remembered with a memorial celebration this spring/summer in Michigan.

 

   Mary was loved and admired by so many. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, and her legacy of love and light will live on in her family and friends.

 

   The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

   Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com