Obituary: Patricia “Patty” Ann Williamson, PhD

July 27, 1934 ~ September 27, 2022

Patricia “Patty” Ann Williamson, PhD, 88 years of Kangaroo Lake, Door County, WI and St. Louis, MO, died unexpectedly at her home Sept. 27 from heart failure. She and her husband, Howard, had returned earlier that day following, as she shared, “the best trip ever”, visiting family and friends throughout the Midwest and attending her 70th year high school reunion.

Patty was born July 27, 1934 in Independence, MO, the only child of Forest Raymond and Dorothy Fern (Maloney) Lewis. She graduated valedictorian from Marceline High School in Marceline, MO. Patty met her husband, James Howard Williamson when they were eight years old as their parents were teachers/administrators in the local school system. They were best friends growing up and when going steady in high school they worked together on the school newspaper. Howard was the newspaper mimographer and Patty was the editor, already a budding writer. They attended the University of Missouri – Columbia and married at the end of their sophomore year, on April 18, 1954, in Marceline, MO and were blessed with a son and two daughters.

Patty earned her PhD from Saint Louis University and later taught public relations classes at two St. Louis area universities.  Patty began her career as Public Relations Director of the Ritenour School District, 1966-78, becoming the first female to hold that position in the St. Louis area. She went on to serve in similar positions in the St. Louis area – Special School District, 1978-81; Francis Howell School District, 1981-86; and the Metropolitan Coordinating Committee (St. Louis desegregation program), 1986-1990.  In 1976 she was the only school PR person among 40 school administrators from the U.S. and Canada selected as Danforth Fellows in a project sponsored by the Danforth Foundation and the National Academy of School Executives.  Her dream to become a writer/reporter would eventually come true when she turned 70-years-old, writing articles for The Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living Magazine in Door County, WI.

Always giving of her time and commitment to serve others, Patty served on many State and National organizations including the Missouri School Public Relations Association serving as president in 1969-70; the National School Public Relations Association and the National Association of Vocational and Technical Education, serving as president in 1991-92. Over her career, Patty won numerous awards for her professional work, and her greatest thrill was winning two state awards from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. She received second place for Best Special Section: The Power of Trees, written with three other contributors, Debra Fitzgerald, Craig Sterrett and Kevin Naze.  She also received second place for her feature story, A Dark Night, a Lost Son of Sister Bay.

Writing was always at the heart of Patty’s work and she authored several books – History of the Ritenour School District; Oklahoma School to Work Marketing; History of Kangaroo Lake and See You Under the Stars-The History of the American Folklore Theater.

Patty was a person of great faith, self-sacrifice and generosity. She was truly a lady of her times and possessed a strong commitment to her faith, her church and her family. Her greatest pride and joy in life was her family. Through her love of family, Patty discovered another true passion – tracing her family’s genealogy. Patty found meaning and fulfillment while tracing her family back to the 1600’s. And, she did all this “pre-internet” using original sources obtained via microfiche, letters and several visits to both colonial Virginia and Ireland. 

Patty always had room in her heart, at her table or in their home.  Patty always opened her home to others and would always end up making new, lifelong friends. She created an enormous legacy and was passionate about the importance and love of family. She was loved by many. She impacted countless lives, and this impact will live on with the many people whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed and will remain forever in our hearts.

“The simple act of listening to someone and making them feel as if they have truly been heard is a most treasured gift.” L.A. Villfane.

Surviving family members include her devoted husband, Howard; two dear children, Michael Williamson and his wife Theresa Williamson of Houston, TX; Lynn Williamson White and her husband Roy White of Florissant, MO; eight precious grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Patty is preceded in death by her parents; and daughter, Lisa Williamson Crowder and her husband Timothy Crowder.

Door County funeral services will be held Monday, November 14, 2022 at Zion Methodist Church, 8781 County Rd. F, Fish Creek, WI 54212.  Friends may call from 12:00-2:00 p.m. and a service will follow at 2:00 p.m.

St. Louis funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Shepherd Funeral Chapel, 9255 Natural Bridge Rd, St. Louis, MO 63134.  Friends may call from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and a service will follow at 6:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed in Patty’s memory to Zion Methodist Church Memorial Fund, Baileys Harbor, 8781 County Rd. F, Fish Creek, WI 54212.

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC are assisting the Williamson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Patricia may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.