Background
Patterson, Shirley Abbott was born on December 13, 1923 in Buffalo. Daughter of Walter DeForest and Eleanor Agnes (Flinn) Abbott.
Patterson, Shirley Abbott was born on December 13, 1923 in Buffalo. Daughter of Walter DeForest and Eleanor Agnes (Flinn) Abbott.
Diploma, Albright School Fine Art, Buffalo, 1944; Bachelor of Science, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1945.
Teacher art, Griffith Institute and Center School, Springville, New York, 1945-1946;
critic teacher art, Kenmore (New York) Public Schools, 1946-1949;
private practice art teacher, Wilmington, Delaware, 1958-1970;
founder, manager, Today's Artists, Wilmington, 1974-1977;
freelance writer, artist, Wilmington, since 1977. Advisor exhibition U. Delaware, Newark, 1979, advisor books, 1981, lecturer, 1983, 86. Critic Studio Group, Inc., Wilmington, 1985-1987.
Juror Delaware Camera Club, 1986, 87, 88. Radio art talks Station WXDR, 1986-1989. Moderator Writers' Workshop of Delaware Valley, 1986-1989.
Member American Association of University Women (group leader 1960-1964), National League American Pen Women (branch president 1978-1980, 1st Prize Painting award 1977, 79, 81, 83, 85, 86, 1st Prize Short Story award 1981, Writer's scholarship 1983, moderator writer's workshop Delaware Valley chapter 1987, 88, 89), Studio Group, Inc. (president 1978-1980), Pennsylvania Watercolor Society (signature, honorary), Kentucky Watercolor Society, Delta Zeta (chapter president 1943-1954, alumni chapter president 1982-1983).
Married Ralph Gordon Patterson, September 25, 1948. Children: Lois Elaine (deceased), Brian Alan.