Cleda W. Pattison's Obituary
Cleda Woodworth Pattison, 100
Cleda W. Pattison, a long-time resident of the Mantua neighborhood of Fairfax County passed on on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Falcons Landing retirement community in Sterling, Virginai where she had been in residence since 1996.
Mrs. Pattison was born on August 5, 1908 in Arcola, Illinois. There she survived the influenza epidemic of 1918 that killed her father, leaving the family in straitened circumstances. She graduated in 1931 from the University of Illinois, where she was active in the theater and on the women's debate team. It was there that she met her future husband, Brig. General Hal C. Pattison, USA, with whom she enjoyed almost 66 years of marriage. After her husband was called to active on the activation of the 4th Armored Division in 1941, she followed it during its training in Southern California, Nevada and Texas before settling on an island in Florida for the duration of the war.
In 1949, she and her husband moved to London whre he was on the staff that organized NATO. There, she particularly enjoyed speaking to English women's groups about the United States and collecting English antiques and silver. Between Pentagon assignments, she accompanied her husband to tours in Tokyo and Germany.
In retirement, she and General Pattison lived for 33 years in Mantua. While he served as Chief of Military History, she was active on the board of the old Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmens Club on L Street in the District and served as its tresurer and president for six years in the mid-1960's. Locally, she was active in the Mantua Ladies Club and reluctantly agreed to serve as its president at age 84 after five years as its treasurer.
Notwithstanding her modest beginnings in rural Illinois, she became an accomplished lady of many talents. She taught herself to become a fine seamstress, gourmet cook and superb hostess. Her mastery of the English language as well as of Robert's Rules of Order helped her become not only a successful debater and public speaker but also an adept presiding officer. She was always active (bowling til age 92) and in full possession of her faculties to the end.
Mrs. Pattison is survived by her two sons, Hal W. of Falls Church and William C. of Olympia, WA; two grandchildren, Kerrrie and William, and two great grandsons, Thomas and Matthew.
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