Claire Elaine Patterson's Obituary
Claire Elaine North Patterson, of Pearland, Texas born October 13, 1931, passed away August 17, 2024 after a brief illness.
Claire was born in Port Lavaca, Texas. She graduated from Milby HS in Houston, Texas in 1949 and University of Houston with a Bachelors in Music Education in 1953. She taught choir in HISD for over thirty years and was a church organist for over fifty years. Claire touched the lives of students she taught, many keeping in touch until her death. Following her teaching career, Claire continued studying organ and fulfilled her dream of playing many pipe organs in Houston and abroad. Her social memberships included Sigma Alpha Iota and American Guild of Organists.
She is survived by her brother, Marcus (Joanne) North, children, Jesse Patterson III, David Patterson, Karen (Ted) Duke and Sue (Mark) Wasik, grandchildren, Kara (Jeremy) Woodley, Jess (Amanda) Patterson, Phillip (Deanna) Patterson, Miles Patterson, Kevin Duke, Kelly (Nathan) O’Grady, Kimberly (Korey) Reid, Brent Patterson and ten great grandchildren, Hayes Woodley, Rhys Woodley, Harmonie Woodley, Eliza Woodley, Liam Patterson, Piper Patterson, Penny Patterson, Jett Patterson, Patrick O’Grady, Alexander O’Grady.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harold Marcus North and Ermine Grace Black, sister Shirley Payne, husbands, J.L. Patterson, Jr in 1990 and Elmond Claridge in 2014.
Private interment at South Park FH, Pearland, Texas. The family will receive friends, Wed. August 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real, Houston, Texas 77062 followed by Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Claire North Patterson Scholarship Endowment http://giving.uh.edu/arts or your favorite charity.
What’s your fondest memory of Claire?
What’s a lesson you learned from Claire?
Share a story where Claire's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Claire you’ll never forget.
How did Claire make you smile?