Ann Lynn Paterson, 89, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2023, at The Villagio in Broomfield, Colo. She was born April 11, 1934, in Syracuse, N.Y. to Floyd Everett and Helen Gardiner Carlson.
After attending Nottingham High School, Ann earned a Bachelor of Arts. in English with honors at the University of Rochester in 1955. She did graduate work there from 1955-58 before transferring to Michigan State University, where she was granted her Ph.D. in sociology in 1966. While there, she met John James Paterson and the two were married on Sept. 2, 1961. They worked at Perdue University from 1962-65 then moved to Morgantown, where Ann would spend most of her life.
She taught intro sociology, gender roles, the sociology of education and research methods classes at West Virginia University, serving as the chair of the sociology/anthropology department from 1979-89. She collaborated with Patricia Rice on research characterizing cave art in Europe. She worked closely with Native American groups on campus, bringing various speakers from across the country. Ann also served as the director of the Regent’s Bachelor of Arts program at the university, helping many unconventional students to obtain degrees.
She enjoyed music, playing the piano and singing in choirs much of her life. She loved to travel and explored many cultures around the world. An avid reader (preferably with a cat on her lap), she developed a breadth of knowledge and made sure to stay abreast of current events. She liked hearing from a variety of people and treated people from all walks of life with dignity. She was generous with her time and money, whether it was driving for Meals on Wheels, taking care of a retired cleaning lady, hosting an international visitor, helping a prisoner get a master’s degree or assisting her family.
She was predeceased by her husband, John, in 1998, and her half brother, Joe Carlson. She is survived by her brother, Scott Carlson (GA) in addition to her two children, Helen Datta, spouse Siddhartha Datta (CO) and Brian Paterson, spouse Kathryn Cranford (NH), as well as her grandchildren, Ashwin, Nishant, Nalina and Sage.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
