Donna Jean Wright Patterson, passed peacefully on November 06, 2022, at her home in Pleasant Hill of over 55 years, after a long cardiac illness and heart failure. 

Donna lived a beautiful, full and dignified life. She was fiercely passionate – holding fast to her beliefs, defending those she loved, and always seeking to better herself and her family.

Her husband of 55 years, Bill Patterson, simply adored her from the moment they met. Together they built a beautiful life with their four children and seven grandchildren. 

Donna was a mother to all, her home and her heart were always open. In fact, when someone actually rang the doorbell, we would all say "who's here? who's ringing the doorbell?", literally, everyone would just "walk-in" at the Patterson's.  Having a successful daycare business out of their 4-bedroom home that she loved, The Patterson Family Style Daycare was a pillar in the Pleasant Hill community, caring for children and families for over 30 years.  Donna driving the infamous silver and maroon van, with the rainbow in the back window, was a daily sighting in Pleasant Hill.

Donna Jean was born on October 27, 1945, in San Francisco, CA. The daughter of Clare Benjamin Wright & Irene Klatt Wright.  She grew up in Richmond California and graduated from Harry Ells High School in 1963, where she was involved in many sports including basketball, volleyball, softball, and tennis where she earned her Varsity Letters. She was very proud to have been one of the Girls Athletics Association Officers.  She also loved playing the clarinet in the school music program.  She asked to play the trombone and was told that girls "weren't allowed to play the trombone", and chose the clarinet.  After graduation, she attended Diablo Valley College, and San Francisco State University, and later completed her education at the University of San Francisco. 

She met her husband of 55 years, William “Bill” Patterson in late April 1965 at a Jazz Competition in San Jose where he was playing drums with the Diablo Valley College Jazz Ensemble.  The group won first place.  Donna and her lifelong friend Nancy Bettencourt Healy attended the event. When Donna brought her program up for autographs, every musician signed it except Bill. He told her “You’ll have to kiss me first” and Donna said, "Well I don’t want it that bad.”  The following week on May 8th, 1965 they had their first date. They went to a movie at the Rheem Theater in Moraga, then to Freddie’s Pizza in Lafayette.  Three months later they began talking about marriage and kids, and on May 18, 1966, in his childhood home, Bill proposed. They were married as soon as Bill returned home from boot camp at Fort Ord, Ca.   They were married on July 29, 1967. They honeymooned in Disneyland, and in 2017 they celebrated their 50th anniversary there with all of their children's families and grandchildren. 

Donna’s own words on one of their anniversary celebrations “46 years ago today my life changed forever. I walked down the aisle and became Mrs. William Patterson. My life has been everything I have ever wanted. I have 4 wonderful children and 7 wonderful grandchildren. My life has been a great adventure and I look forward to the adventures yet to come. I Love you, Bill.”

She loved celebrating  Halloween, good sashimi, cooking up dishes with her signature Crazy Jane's Mixed up Salt, laughing at Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show skits, a good Hot Toddy, and White Russian cocktails. She loved gardening and RV trips to go camping with Bill and her grandchildren. She could throw on a t-shirt and jeans and look like a million bucks. Her dark auburn hair and a bright smile lit up any room. She washed her hair once a week and would toss it in the morning with little effort and looked like she just stepped out of the salon. 

She hated injustice, spineless people, and if the toilet paper roll was put on the wrong way ("the paper has to be up and over"). Her beloved Giants baseball games, the Forty Niners, and Green Bay Packers football games.  She was high school friends with running back Travis Williams of the Green Bay Packers who was recruited personally by Vince Lombardi, she followed his career and was his biggest fan.  She loved Cher, Elvis, The Beatles, and John Lennon. 

Donna was always there for her children, grandchildren, daycare clients, and anyone who needed her.  She instilled in us the importance of family, friendship, hard work, and doing what is right. She loved her time volunteering with anything that her children were involved in.  She was a Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scouts Diablo Day Camp volunteer with her daughters and troop members, and she was a Cub Scout Den Mother for her son Robert. Together, Donna and Bill volunteered with the College Park High School Athletic Boosters Club and Grad Nites, the Concord Blue Devils Bingo when all four of their children were involved in the program.  She taught catechism at Christ the King Parish and was a member of the altar society and a sponsor in the RCIA program. When the girls started dance lessons, Donna jumped right in with them, taking the adult tap dance classes and Tahitian Dance.  She loved it and did this for several years, even performing with the studio's Tahitian Dance group in several Bay Area Parades. Bill also joined in and did the Tahitian Bongo drums.  

To her daughters, Michelle, Melaine & Merie she leaves her kindness, empathy, sensitivity, and beautiful gullible naivety. To her son, Robert, she leaves her sardonic wit and humor, disdain for authority, and love of life. To her husband, she leaves her undying love, unfathomable gratitude for taking care of her always, and up until her last day, and their four beautiful children who love him more than words can ever describe.

Donna’s presence in the world has been immense, her impact on the community will be felt for generations, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband Bill Patterson, son Robert Patterson, daughter Michelle O'Hearn (Michael) Miranda O'Hearn and Joshua O'Hearn, daughter Melaine Huth (Michael) Michael Huth, Madelyn Huth and Megan Huth and daughter Meredith Brayley (Dustin) Maxwell Brayley and Billy Brayley. 

A Mass and Celebration of Donna's life, with a reception, will be held  

Saturday, January 14 2023 at 11:00 AM

MORELLO HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

1000 Morello Hills Drive Martinez, Ca 94553

In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation in Donna's Name to the Huntington's Disease Society of America's Research for a Cure or The Comprehensive Heart Failure Research Program at the University of California, Davis.  Thank You

 www.hdsa.org

 https://give.ucdavis.edu/IMCA/CACM403

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/donna-patterson/obituary/

Copy