Blossom Patterson - Obituary

lossom Christine Hansen Patterson passed away peacefully on August 30, 2024. She was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio before relocating to Haverford, Pennsylvania. She was married to John Patterson for 52 years. Blossom is survived by her sons Robert and George as well as her grandchildren, Phillip, Brieanna, Jack, Nicholas, Nina, and Samantha. She graduated from the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, before obtaining a degree in History from Smith College. She studied abroad in Paris and was fluent in French. Blossom met her husband while working at the Census Bureau. At the Census Bureau, she developed an interest in statistical research. Her love of statistics led her to obtain a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland while raising her sons. Despite her busy schedule, she found time to tutor math to troubled youth at the Noyes Center in Rockville, Maryland. She worked for the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Prevention as a researcher for nearly 30 years. Her passion was studying food and nutrition to reduce cancer rates. Blossom co-authored the book Investigating Biological Systems Using Modeling as well as several articles published in medical journals. She consulted with Giant Food and Campbell’s Soup to improve the quality of the American diet. As one of the only liberal arts majors in a division of statisticians, she was often the designated presenter of research at symposiums and even handled an interview on CNN. Despite her life’s work Blossom was diagnosed with breast cancer after a tumor was discovered in her spine. She was tough and defeated stage four breast cancer. After her husband passed, Blossom relocated from Potomac, Maryland to Brightview in Edgewater. At Brightview, she quietly dominated trivia and developed a new set of close friends. The family will be holding a memorial service for Blossom at Brightview Senior Living at 8 Lee Airpark Dr., Edgewater Maryland on Wednesday, September 11th from 6 pm to 8 pm. Light fare and wine will be available. Following the memorial service, the family will be hosting a reception at Robiolina Amore located at 9 Lee Airpark Drive, Suite B100, Edgewater. The restaurant is located within walking distance of Brightview. Extra parking is available in the Lee Airpark shopping center. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville, Maryland.