Margaret Ann Patton Heater, eldest daughter of the late Coach Lee Patton, former WVU Basketball Coach and Agnes Britton Patton, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2018, after a long illness.
Born November 29, 1930, in Princeton, she is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Laura Lee Patton.
“Ann”, as those who knew her called her, graduated from West Virginia University earning a BA in English and later a Master’s Degree in Library Science, while also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Upon graduating with her BA, she was recruited and accepted a job working for the CIA in Washington, D.C., a job she held for one year before deciding to head to Calif. and pursue her teaching career.
At age 25 she moved to Calif. and began teaching English at Palo Verde High in Blythe, Calif. Ann then became the Librarian, while continuing to teach, English at Palo Verde Junior College. In 1974, she moved her family to Visalia, Calif., accepting the Librarian position at College of the Sequoias, where she worked until her retirement, as Dean of Library Services, in 1993.
Throughout her life, Ann was a strong supporter of women’s rights and a staunch advocate for social justice. She adamantly believed in, and worked for, equality of opportunity for all people irrespective of race, ethnicity, or gender. She was a strong advocate for the mentally ill, being involved locally, as well as holding a position on the Board for the State of California National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
Ann loved being with people, she had a love of the outdoors, enjoyed the theatre, traveling, backpacking, cross country skiing, tennis, swimming, learning about other cultures and traditions, reading and enjoying her family.
She is survived by her son, James L Heater, of Visalia, Calif.; daughter, Carolyn (Heater) Gordon, her husband, Chris; granddaughter, Sarah and grandson, Andrew, all of Stevenson Ranch, Calif.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimers Association.
Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery, in Princeton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24.
Tributes and condolences by Seavers Funeral Home, Princeton, WV.
