WATERTOWN, N.Y.  — Sharon M. Patterson, 80, of 25337 Hinds Road, passed away at home on May 7, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.

She will be forever remembered for her amazing faith and perpetual positive out look on life, both of which allowed her to have faith bigger than her fears.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 12, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Watertown. A prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. prior to the mass at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, Watertown. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.

Calling Hours will be 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday May 11, at the funeral home.

Born on May 16, 1935, in Watertown, NY, daughter of Walter and Gladys Tryon O'Neil, she graduated in 1953 from Immaculate Heart Academy. She married her high school sweetheart, Patrick T. Patterson, of Watertown on June 25, 1955, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, by Rev. Benoit Dostie.

Throughout Sharon and Pat's 55 years of marriage, they continually instilled their love and family values.  Mom's family was her circle of strength and her love was founded on her faith in God. Together Pat and Sharon raised their six daughters on the family farm.  In 1976, Sharon opened the Patterson Farm's Little Country Store which she managed until 1989. The couple retired in 1998 and enjoyed traveling to Scottsdale, Ariz., for the winters. Sharon especially enjoyed spending time with her family, loved baking and making her famous homemade chocolate birthday cakes.  She also expressed her loving care for others as she handmade special blankets (over 70) for treasured family and friends.

Sharon was a member of the Jefferson County Holstein Club, former 4H leader, a member of the American Dairy Association, involved in the NYS Dairy Princess Program and Communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church.

Surviving are six daughters and their husbands, Dr. Dale and Beth P. Porter, Theresa, Daniel and Colleen J. Couse, Victorville, CA, Bruce and Lynn M. Strough, Watertown, Bryon and Jayne M. Perry, Watertown, James and Kathleen M. Schultz, Honesdale, PA., and Stephen and Patricia E. Perry, Adams; a sister, Barbara Heiler, Port St. Lucie, FL; a brother in law, Daniel Patterson, Altamonte Springs, FL; a sister in law, Linda Patterson, Watertown; cousins, Linda McAleer and family, Fayetteville, NY, Anne Latham and family, Bloomingdale, NY; 12 grandchildren, Sandra (Richard) Rosbrook, Stephen (Angela) Porter, Shannon (Wayne) Sech, Kelly (Adam) Rabinowitz, Katie (Keith) Elvert, Kristen (Scott) Austin, Sarah Couse, James (Jaclyn) Schultz, Trisha (Mitch) Howell, Nicole (Cameron) Moore, Kayla Perry, Lauren Perry; fifteen great-grandchildren, Landon, Collin, Kennedy and Katelyn Porter; Nathan and Payton Rabinowitz; Julia Strough-Sech; Derek Rosbrook; Raegan and Logan Howell; Miranda, Maycee and Wyatt Austin; Patrick and Riley Schultz; several nieces and nephews. Also surviving are several close friends, Kathy Duncan and family; Rose Bruyns, Marie and Richard Oakes, Mary Gracey, Annie Loftus, Joseph and Regina Wetterhahn, and her Cleveland Clinic and Hope Lodge families. In lieu of flowers, please send donations, In Memory of Sharon M. Patterson to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 320 W. Lynde St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to the American Cancer Society Cleveland Hope Lodge 11432 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, care of Tracy Petrakis.

To all of mom's family and friends, please keep her words of wisdom and her genuine messages always close to your heart.  Let these messages serve as lifelong reminders of Sharon, our loving mother, the beautiful person who graced our lives in a way that no one else possibly can.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartandbrucefh.com