URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – Joy Ellen Patterson, 91, of Urbana passed away at 6:43 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2024 at Gibson Area Hospital, Gibson City, IL.
Joy was born May 21, 1933, in Chicago, IL, a daughter of Glenn and Irene (Tejcek) Mantor.
Survivors include three sons, Mike Patterson (Candace Reckinger) of Los Angeles, CA, Patrick Patterson (Linda) of Urbana, IL, and Bob Patterson (Donna Cox) of Champaign, IL; Six grandchildren, including Barney and Jasper Patterson, Patrick, Stephen and John Patterson and Elizabeth Cox along with four great grandchildren, Maddie, Chloe and Russell Patterson and Eleanor Patterson.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Lisa Patterson, mother Irene (Tejcek) Mantor, father Glenn Mantor and stepmother Rita Mantor.
Joy grew up in Barrington IL, where her father was head greenskeeper at the Barrington Hills Country Club golf course. She had fond memories of growing up there with her dog and riding horses. Joy became close friends with six girls in elementary school and that friendship lasted their entire lifetime. They stayed connected, had get-togethers and trips to Door County together. She graduated Barrington High School and attended one year at the University of Colorado, Boulder where she loved horseback riding in the mountains.
Joy always said she was a “country girl” – she loved nature, big thunderstorms, her garden, and watching her busy bird feeders! For the holidays, everyone knew Joy for her enthusiastic and creative expressions of Halloween! An avid aficionado of low budget monster movies, she loved decorating and holding fun Halloween parties for the family. She shared hobbies with her children like crafts, coin collecting and late-night card games. Joy unconditionally supported her children’s passions and creative endeavors like fixing up old cars, art and music and was highly supportive of her children and grandchildren throughout her life.
Joy was an accomplished exhibiting artist. Hundreds of her paintings hang in homes and businesses in the Chicago area. She painted portraits, still lives and especially loved painting tigers. As a young woman, she worked for a doctor in Barrington and later at Holy Family hospital in Des Plaines.
The family would like to thank the staff at Windsor Court Assisted Living in Savoy, IL, Accolade Paxton Senior Living, Paxton, IL and Dr Kuhlenschmidt and staff of Christie Clinic in Mahomet for the support and care they gave to Joy.
Condolences may be offered at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory