Linda Ann Patterson

Major Linda Ann Patterson, USAF (Ret), 73, of Niceville, Florida, formerly of Sea Girt, New Jersey, peacefully passed away on July 5th, 2021, at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, Florida after a four-year battle with urothelial carcinoma. When she was diagnosed, she kept an upbeat and positive attitude – a hallmark of her personality.

Linda was born on May 12, 1948, to Tatiana Dorothy Panasuk Patterson and Edward Vernou Patterson of Spring Lake, New Jersey. She grew up on the Jersey Shore and was a 1966 graduate of Wall Township High School.

Linda attended Madison College in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, with a B.S. degree in Occupational Therapy. After her military career, she received her Master’s Degree in Psychology & Counseling from Troy State University.

In 1971, she joined the United States Air Force and attended Squadron Officer’s School, Air Command and Staff, and Air War College. Over 20 years, she was stationed at Air Force Bases in Illinois, Germany, Texas, Florida, the Philippines, Washington D.C., and Ohio. She also traveled throughout Europe, from Oslo to Istanbul, and Asia, from the People’s Republic of China to Guam, making wonderful memories along the way.

Linda was an avid gardener and member of the Niceville Garden Club. She was also an excellent cook and collector of treasures from her world travels. She cherished her friendships, from childhood to over 40 years in the making, and her memory will be celebrated by those who loved her.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Dorothy; her stepfather, Lt. Cmdr. Richard E. Deal (USN, Ret); and her college fiancée, 1st Lt. H. Robert Crowthers, who was killed in action in Vietnam. She is survived by her loving daughter and devoted caregiver, Melissa Ann Patterson of Gainesville, Georgia; her steadfast sister, Dorothy Helaine Patterson of Hamden, Connecticut; and her former husband and friend, father to Melissa, Major Leonard Walter Penkoski (USAF, Ret), of Spring Hill, Florida.

The family would like to acknowledge the healthcare professionals at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for their help and coordination of care for Linda while in Texas and locally at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, Florida.

The family would also like to express their appreciation to those compassionate healthcare workers at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast who lovingly cared for Linda during her last days.

A graveside service and internment in the Patterson family plot at Greenwood Cemetery in Brielle, New Jersey, will be private later in the Spring of 2022,  and under the direction of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Spring Lake, New Jersey.

Memorials in honor of Linda may be made to a charity of your choice.

Tributes may be posted online at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, https://www.mclaughlintwincities.com/tributes/Linda-Patterson

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