Gloria Walker Patterson; Art Teacher

Gloria Walker Patterson, an art teacher who taught at Northridge Junior High School for more than 30 years, died Dec. 30 of complications from diabetes, according to her family. She was 69.

Patterson was born in Los Angeles on March 31, 1930, and graduated from John Marshall High in 1947. She earned teaching and administrative credentials from UCLA in 1952 and began her teaching career at Nightingale Junior High School near downtown Los Angeles.

But it was at Northridge Junior High--now Northridge Middle School--that Patterson left her most enduring impression, befriending and inspiring generations of students, even those who believed they had little artistic talent, said one of Patterson’s caregivers, Suzanne Stone. She also took time to help many improve their reading and math skills, and even taught some how to drive.

Patterson taught briefly at Frost Junior High in Granada Hills before retiring in 1992. Her diabetes was diagnosed about 30 years ago, and in recent years she lost her sight and was subsequently resigned to a wheelchair. But friends say it didn’t dent her spirits, and Patterson remained active in her church.

A widow of more than 30 years, Patterson is survived by sons Gordon of Carnation, Wash., and David of Granada Hills; daughter Terri Lundquist of Roseburg, Ore.; and two grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 11011 Hayvenhurst Ave. in Granada Hills, and at 10 a.m. Friday at Northridge Middle School’s Wherry Hall, 17960 Chase St.