Holden: Birgit I. (Swenson) Patterson, 101, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in Holden Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She leaves 3 daughters- Nancy Hancock, Jill Patterson, and Sue Haney; 5 grandchildren- Scott Hancock, Karen Hancock, Sarah Knox, Adam Steele and Molly Steele, 3 great grandchildren- Erin Hancock, Kate Hancock, and Callan Steele, several nieces and nephews, and her loving caregiver Winnie Njuguna. She was predeceased by her husband John Whyte Patterson, a daughter Beth J. Patterson, and by siblings Gurli Carlson and Folke Elof Swenson.
Birgit was born in Goteborg, Sweden, daughter of the late Gustaf and Gerda (Welin) Swenson and emigrated through Ellis Island in 1923. They travelled by trolly to live in the Belmont Hill neighborhood in Worcester. She graduated from Commerce High School and Quinsigamond Community College and worked as an Administrative Assistant for UMASS Medical School Internal Medicine Department and for the Civil Engineering Department at W.P.I.
Birgit had an active volunteer life. She was a 70 year member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester. Birgit enjoyed teaching Sunday School, putting on church suppers, and participated whole-heartedly in the second wave feminist movement through her church. She was also church historian for ten years and created 10 memory books of the church history from 1960-2000. In retirement she was a volunteer as a case-reviewer in the foster care system, senior pen pal for 3rd graders at the Mayo School in Holden, and volunteered at the Gale Free Holden Library and Senior Center.
Throughout her life Birgit enjoyed sewing, crafting and baking. She was an extensive reader and authored many books and scrapbooks on her family history. Her proudest achievement was raising her four daughters and being a loving companion for 70 years to her husband John. Together they enjoyed vacations to John’s family cottages in Muskoka, Canada as well as visiting Birgit’s family in Thedford, Ontario, San Bernadino, CA, and St. Petersburg, FL.
Birgit will be remembered for her unique sense of humor, strong opinions, and devotion to family. Her frugality was unprecedented. She was the queen of recycling and not wasting a thing. She always made sure to wave goodbye to her loved ones after a visit through the picture window of her living room even in her last days.
A graveside service in All Faiths Cemetery 9 Island Road, Worcester, MA 01603 will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. A celebration of life service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in The Unitarian Universalist Church 140 Shore Dr. Worcester, MA 01606.
Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA 01605 is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Birgit’s memory may be made to Unitarian Universalist Church 140 Shore Dr. Worcester, MA 01606. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.