Margretta A. Patterson - Kauffman

Margretta Patterson-Kauffman

Born Margretta Ann Naive, November 28, 1924, to Dorothy Dunn Naïve and Wiley Naïve in Columbus, Ohio.

For her early education Margretta attended the University School in Columbus and Mount Vernon Seminary for Girls in Washington DC.  Her formal education finished up at Bennett College in Millbrook, New York and the University of Arizona.  It was in Tucson during WWII that she met John (Pat) Patterson, an Army Air Corp navigator. They honeymooned at her beloved summer cottage at Columbus Beach Club, Michigan.  Pat and Margretta spent the next 37 years in her childhood home in Columbus, Ohio.

While rearing their children Pat brought home a basset hound and so began their passion for raising, showing, and eventually judging dog shows. She and Pat continued their judging and traveling throughout the US and many foreign countries for more than three decades.

Margretta chose to carry on judging after the death of her husband in 1982.  She continued her traveling and was always planning another adventure to some far-off place.  She visited all but one continent and when asked why not Antarctica?  She replied, “Why would anyone want to go sit on an iceberg!”  And that was Marg, always saying just what was on her mind.

After being a widow for 17 years she reconnected with Ned Kauffman, who, coincidentally, was a Army Air core navigator &  breeder/judge.  They married in 2001 dividing their time between Sarasota and Indian River.  Travel, dogs, and family continued to be a mutual obsession.    Upon Ned’s death in 2011 Margretta longed for her childhood summer home which she made her permanent residence until her death.

Margretta passed away at her home surrounded by family and dear caregivers

She is survived by her children: Dee Dee (Gary) Wells,  KiKi (John)Dever,  Wiley Patterson.  Step daughters: Paula (Rick) Wagner, Sally (Mark) Hale, Susan Kunkle. Grandchildren: Christopher Wells, Carrie Wells, Elizabeth Edwards, Tim Dever, John Patterson and 5 great grand children.

A Celebration of Life will be in the summer of 2023

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Hospice, Macular Degeneration Research, or your favorite charity.

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