Obituary of Kathleen Patterson

Kathleen Louise Patterson (ne O’Connell) (October 1945-January 2025) Kathleen “Kathy” Patterson was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, the eldest child of George and Bertha O’Connell. Growing up, Kathy was an outstanding competitive swimmer and excellent student. After winning a full academic scholarship for her high school science fair project, she attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. At SIU, Kathy competed on the speech and debate team and graduated with a BA in Government and a Masters Degree in Speech. She continued her graduate studies in Speech and Communication at SUNY-Buffalo, while teaching Speech and Public Speaking for four years at Canisius College. Kathy married John W. Patterson in 1966; they moved to Knetucky in 1972 and were divorced in 1979. Kathy taught Speech and Communication at the University of Kentucky forseveral years, and later worked on local government issues in the Office of the Governor. Afterreceiving a Juris Doctor degree in 1981 from the University of Kentucky, Kathy was the chiefexecutive assistant and Counsel to the Office of Majority Leader of the Kentucky House ofRepresentatives. Later, Kathy was legal counsel to the Office for Families and Children. Kathy was very close to her family, a much loved daughter to her Mom and Dad, and a loving sister to her younger brother George and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth. Kathy was very close to her three nephews, Christopher, Brendan and Teddy, traveling to California for holidays, graduations, weddings and other important events. She regularly traveled with the family on vacations to the Mendocino Coast, the Canadian Rockies or Lake Tahoe. She readily lent a helping hand and her loving heart to be part of their lives, whether chaperoning a high school boys robotics team at a National Championship, copy editing a PhD dissertation or making delicious desserts for special events. Kathy’s other passion was raising and showing her beloved cocker spaniels. For more than 50 years, her dogs were her companions and main vocation. Under her Show-Me name, she bred and showed many cocker spaniel champions. She also won numerous awards for her dogs in obedience, rally and barn hunt competitions. Kathy was a Life Member of the American Spaniel Club (ASC), serving as Secretary, Chair of the Standing Committee, Member of the Board of Directors and named by the ASC to its Hall of Fame for her contributions to the breed. Kathy was also an American Kennel Club (AKC) Licensed Judge, certified to judge all Sporting Breeds in the Sporting Group. She judged many shows throughout the United States and Europe, sharing her encyclopedic knowledge of dogs. Tall, confident, with a sharp wit and a loving heart, Kathy made friends wherever she went. On her travels she sought out good food and new recipes to share with friends and family, always ready to share a laugh and a good Vodka Gimlet (Roses Lime Juice only). She took pride in all things Kentucky and will be sorely missed by her family and many friends. Kathy is survived by her younger brother George, her sister-in-law Elizabeth Lewicki; her nephew Christopher and his wife Daiana and their children Celeste and Roman; her nephew and Godson Brendan and his wife Ruth and their children Evelyn and Lillian; and her nephew Teddy. A Funeral Mass followed immediately by a reception for family and friends will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Friday, April 25th at 1:00 p.m. Kathy will be interned with her parents and grandparents in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, MO on Sunday, April 27th at 10:00 a.m. All of Kathy’s friends are invited to attend to celebrate and remember her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any contributions be made in Kathy’s name to: American Spaniel Club Foundation, In Memory of Kathleen Patterson; online at www.asc-f.org or the St. Vincent de Paul Society, P.O. Box 571, Frankfort, KY 40602