In Loving Memory of

Aleda Patterson

(Maiden: Van Dusen)
of Edmonton
Sep 27, 2019

With heavy hearts we announce that Aleda passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of September 27, 2019 after a long wonderful life. She was 84 years old. She will be lovingly remembered forever by her sons, Wes and Tyler; daughter-in-law, Tammy; grandchildren, Logan, Sawyer and Isabella and sister, Marilyn. She will also be remembered by her cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends. Aleda was predeceased by her husband, Ralph and parents, Wes and Helen.

In 1957 Aleda graduated from the University of Alberta with an education degree and taught at John A. McDougall and Westmount schools.

Aleda helped establish the Personal Development Centre which offered free family counselling and is known today as The Support Network. She also founded the Edmonton ABC Head Start program in 1984. Head Start grew from a single location serving 10 children to a comprehensive community program, supporting over 430 families. She recruited her many friends to help get this program started as well as the Scarecrow Festival, which raised over $1 million in 10 years. She received several awards over the years but was exceptionally honored this May to be the namesake of the new Aleda Patterson School. She described the Board announcement as one of the best days of her life.

Aleda loved to stay busy. She enjoyed golf and traveled the world with her family and friends. She especially loved to spend as much time as possible with her grandchildren taking them on many trips to exotic places; they were her greatest treasure.

A Celebration of Aleda’s Life with a short program will be held for Aleda at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club, 9450 Groat Road, Edmonton, on Friday, October 11, 2019 at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Aleda to ABC Head Start or The University Hospital Foundation's Brain Centre Campaign. We would like to give a special thanks to all of the doctors and care providers that helped Aleda over the past few years; it is impossible to name all of you but we are deeply grateful for all that you have done.