Shirley L. Patterson, Ph.D., 84, passed away April 10, 2018. Dr. Patterson's life work was informed by her education at North Texas University, McCormick Theological Seminary, University of Kansas and University of Wisconsin. Prior to joining the KU faculty she organized community projects for Third Presbyterian Church, Topeka, KS and participated in President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty by opening Crossroads Counseling Center that remains open today in Mission, KS. Dr. Patterson taught in the graduate schools of Social Work at KU, N.M. Highlands, UNLV, and ASU. She specialized in Gerontology. She presided for several years over the NOW chapter of the Sun Cities, AZ and organized several Women's History Month fundraisers including writing, directing and singing in "Voila La Femme - A Musical." After moving to La Vida Llena LifeCare Community in Albuquerque in 2005, Shirley organized "The Gathering of Women" which led to co-editing with Susan Cho two volumes of "Turning Points in Women's Lives" (2012, 2015). Shirley is survived by her partner, Susan Cho, a brother, nephew, niece and other kin. A gathering to celebrate Dr. Patterson's life will be held on April 28, 2018, 4 pm at La Vida Llena. Memorial contributions may go to PB&J Family Services (505-944-7224) and Southwest Women's Law Center (505-244-0502).