Maria Patterson ... accomplished thespian; at 88

ROCHESTER - Maria Patterson was born in Spartanburg, S.C.., on May 26, 1933, to loving parents Constantinos and Irene Papadopoulos Patterson, two Greek immigrants who fled war and strife in their native Greece and Turkey after World War I to start a new life in the U.S.

After graduating from Spartanburg High School, she pursued advanced training in dance and theatre, first in Atlanta and then New York City as a student of notable performers such as Bob Fosse and Leonard Nimoy, to name a few. She performed in many musicals and non-musicals, both off Broadway and in community theatre. After having her children, she balanced her passion for the theatre with her responsibilities as a dedicated mother to provide a loving home with many creative opportunities for her four children. Maria continued her education by studying drama at Empire State College, where she earned a Bachelor's degree, and later obtained her Master's degree at NYU in Drama Therapy.

After receiving her Master's degree, she developed a private practice working with children using Art and Sandplay therapy. She also worked with disadvantaged inner-city youth as an Art and Activities Therapist. At Jamaica Hospital in Queens, NY, she worked with a diverse population of psychiatric patients suffering from trauma and other issues. While working there, she was a pioneer in developing a dynamic program of Creative Arts therapy programs and groups that successfully treated patients in a way that was not possible through talk therapy alone. Her tireless work and dedication were proof of her great love and compassion for those who suffered from mental illness.

Mom had a rare exuberance for life, which she shared with her patients, friends, children, and grandchildren. She was a free spirit, a spitfire, and a progressive thinker whose creativity shone through in everything she did. She was a true New Yorker who loved the excitement of the artistic and cultural life of the Big Apple.

She is predeceased by her loving parents Constantinos and Irene Patterson, her brother Jim Patterson, and her sister Anna Trakas.

Maria is survived by her four fortunate and grateful children, Drew Kandilakis, Diana Kandilakis, Denise Guzman and husband Patrick Kibel, and Dean Kandilakis, in addition to being Yiayia to her three grandchildren Gabriella, Adrianna, and Aajmina.

"You fill up my senses, come fill me again."- One of Mom's favorite songs by John Denver from "Annie's Song"