Doris Patterson, longtime Downey community leader, passes away

Doris Patterson, a longtime community volunteer and former president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, died March 26. 

Born Feb. 28, 1926, she moved to Downey in 1951. She married James Patterson in 1946, and the couple remained married until his death in 2013. 

Following James' death, Doris moved to Colorado in 2013. 

Doris was retired for more than 20 years as a personnel manager for Olympic Fastener Manufacturing. 

She gave back to the Downey community in several ways, including as vice president and president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce. She was also a big supporter of Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, serving as president of the Rancho Los Amigos Fund. 

Doris started weekly bingo games at the Woman's Club of Downey, with half the proceeds going to the Rancho fund and the other half funding local high school scholarships. 

Doris was also instrumental in starting the annual Rancho Art Exhibit and establishing the Don Knabe Children's Center wing at Rancho Los Amigos, named after the former L.A. County supervisor. 

Other organizations Doris supported included Downey Sister Cities Association, Keep Downey Beautiful, Gangs Out of Downey, and the Woman's Club of Downey, where she helped build a monument in tribute to U.S. military veterans.

Doris received several honors over her lifetime. She was named Woman of the Year by L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe and Congressman Steve Horn, and was a Volunteer of the Year recipient at Rancho Los Amigos' Amistad Ball. 

Doris also rode as grand marshal in the Downey Christmas Parade. 

She is survived by brothers Charles, Carl and George Beardsley, of Hesperia; children Michael Patterson and Susan Phillips; son-in-law Jerry Phillips; grandchildren Cambria, Wesley and Bryan; and several nieces and cousins in Nova Scotia.