WESTFIELD – Barbara Jean (Ronnquist) Paterson, 76, of Westfield passed peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. “Bonnie/Bon” was born in Quincy, MA October 2, 1937. She was the daughter of Carl Rodrik and Virginia (Rein) Ronnquist of Exeter, NH.
She was a graduate of Robinson Female Seminary / Exeter High School, attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Westfield State College with a degree in Accounting. She was a Past Worthy Advisor of Exeter Assembly No. 20 International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a Past Matron of Golden Chapter No. 5 of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Past Deputy Grand Marshal of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts Order of the Eastern Star, a member of Helma Court No. 63 of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America and a member of Ahlem Court No. 84 Daughters of the Nile. She was also a Past President of Gamma Omicron Chapter and member of Beta Sigma Phi International. She loved the ocean, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed playing classical and popular piano music. She spent many hours researching the genealogy of family members.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles E. Paterson in 2003. She leaves 4 sons, David C. and Andrew S. of Westfield, Eric A. and his wife Pamela of Torrington, CT, Brian S. and Kristen Martin of Hatfield, and daughter, Deborah J. and her husband Donald LeClair, Sr. of Wales; her sister, Claire and her husband Richard N. Downer of Shelburne, VT; her brother, Charles Ronnquist and his wife Debby of Kittery Point, ME, her sister, Ruth and her husband Walter Willetts of Jenks, OK; her brother, George Ronnquist of Anaheim, CA, her sister in-law, Christina Remick of Rye, NH; 10 grandchildren; Robert, Michael, Emily, Carl, Ryan, William, Christopher, Alexander, Donald Jr. and Alicia; 5 great grandchildren; several cousins; 6 Nieces Leslie, Kristen, Kari, Kristen, Wendy and Beth; 2 nephews, Matthew and Daniel.
Calling hours will be Saturday, February 15th from 12 noon till 2:30 p.m. at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. Services will be held following at the Second Congregational Church, 487 Western Avenue, Westfield at 3:00 p.m. The burial will be held in the spring in Pine Hill Cemetery, Westfield.
Donations in memory of Barbara may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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