Thursday, June 19, 2025 | St. Lawrence County, NY
OGDENSBURG -- Geraldine Drolet Patterson, age 91, of Ogdensburg, NY, passed away on February 16, 2025, at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, surrounded by her family.
A burial will be announced in the spring.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Fox & Murray Funeral Home.
Born on May 12, 1933, in Massena, NY, Geraldine was the daughter of the late Edward and Virginia (Montroy) Drolet.
She attended Sacred Heart School in Massena before moving to Ogdensburg with her family in 1945. There, she continued her education at St. Peter's and Holy Cross Schools, eventually graduating from St. Mary's Academy in 1951.
Geraldine had a distinguished career in communications, starting as a switchboard operator at New York Telephone Co., where she worked for 24 years. She also held a brief position at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center before completing her career as a receptionist and switchboard operator at A. Barton Hepburn Hospital, where she served for 20 years.
On August 24, 1957, Geraldine married John Elmer Patterson at Notre Dame Church in Ogdensburg. Together, they shared a loving life, and she found great joy in spending time with family and friends.
Geraldine enjoyed cooking and baking, caring for her many pets over the years, drawing, gardening, bowling, taking trips to the casino, and enjoying lunch dates with close friends.
She is survived by her son, John Edward Patterson and his wife Michele of Ogdensburg; her daughter, Jamie Lynn Sovie and her husband Michael of Ogdensburg; her grandchildren, Justin (and Holly) Patterson, Abigail Emmaline Patterson, Jacqueline (and Bella Zimmer) Sovie, and Kathryn Sovie; her cherished great-grandchildren, Emmaline Anne and Jonathan Eugene Patterson; along with nieces and nephews.
Geraldine was predeceased by her husband, John (Jack) Patterson, in 1993; her brothers, Edward, Donald (and Norma) and Robert (and Eleanor) Drolet; her sister, Gloria Drolet; and her nephew, Jason Drolet.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at the Richard E. Winter Cancer Center for their compassionate care and support. They would also like to thank the nurses and staff on the second floor at Claxton Hepburn for their kindness and special attention during Geraldine's final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Lawrence County Hospice (hospiceslv.org) or the Richard E. Winter Cancer Center (5 Lyon Place, Ogdensburg, NY 13669).
Condolences and fond memories may be shared at foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.
