Gina L. Patterson

On Saturday, September 23rd, 2006, God sent an angel to lead His faithful servant, Gina L. Patterson, to her heavenly home. Gina, the first born to Theodore C. Patterson, M.D. and Sylvia Tureaud Patterson, was born on November 3, 1957, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the eldest of three children.Her family made their home in Dundalk, Maryland where Gina, at a young age, was baptized Catholic at Christ the King Catholic Church. She attended Merritt Point Elementary School and graduated from Dundalk Senior High School in 1975. She went on to graduate from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York with a B.A. Degree in Business/Economics in 1979. Gina then pursued a Public Relations Certificate from Goucher College in 1988.Gina was quiet and reserved as a young girl, yet firm and focused. She was sensitive, giving and very protective of her siblings. In her adult years, she was endowed with organizational and event planning skills. Gina was a natural leader with a take charge personality. With every project, she had a master plan and a checklist from A-Z. You could be certain that if Gina were in charge, things were getting done on time and the end result would be of the highest quality. She especially enjoyed planning and executing such events as weddings, anniversaries, and working with the fraternal organization, Sigma Pi Phi (Boule’). Her parent’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration this past July was her final tribute.During her professional career she held such positions as Assistant Program Director, Baltimore Council for Equal Business Opportunity, Inc. (CEBO); Vice President of Business Development, Development Credit Fund, Inc.; Director of Marketing, Bettina’s Bed & Breakfast, Inc., T/A Bennett Travel, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Deputy Executive Director, Maryland/District of Columbia Minority Supplier Development Council, Minority Contractors’ Technical Assistance Program (MCTAP) Baltimore, Maryland; Director of Advancement, University of Maryland Baltimore County’s Meyerhoff Scholars Program; and Academic Coordinator in the Office of Student and Faculty Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. In 2004 Gina was selected and proudly held the title of Director of Admissions, at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine, a position which she held until her passing. Growing up in a medical family, she accepted this position with tremendous pride and pleasure. Her father, Dr. “Ted” Patterson, was among the few African Americans to graduate from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1962. Forty years later, she found herself seated in the chair that determines educational opportunities for young African American students pursuing medicine, as her father had done. Destiny no doubt, played a hand in Gina’s opportunity to open the door for future minority physicians. Gina loved young people and always sought ways to give of her time and talent in helping them become more empowered. Much of her community service was incorporated in her membership with the Harbor City Links. She was one of the Charter Members and Co-chairman of the Chartering Weekend in 1985. She served in various offices including President (1990 & 1996), Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, as well as, Chair of various committees. One of her proudest accomplishments, during her Presidency, was the organizing and planning of YPEP (Youth Protection, Empowerment and Preservation), in collaboration with the Harbor City Chapter and Baltimore City, one of the largest youth conferences in Baltimore, for over 2500 children in 1996.In 1996, she married Leutral Stepney and was blessed with the “joy” of her life, Jasmin Louise Stepney. Her life was complete with the gift of her daughter in whom she instilled much of her character and strength. Gina and her daughter joined Shrine of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mount Washington, where Jasmin also attends school. Gina enjoyed volunteering her time and talent, planning and organizing school activities.Gina had a spirit and energy for challenges and would never yield to defeat even in death. Her persevering spirit during her illness manifested itself in unbelievable strength to everyone who knew her. She empowered others to be strong and to carry on in her final days. Gina’s faith in God enabled her see the positives in her life and everything she had been blessed with in her 48 years. As she peacefully stated, “Although my years here may not be as long as I had anticipated, I am grateful for the gift of my daughter, and the love of family and friends that I have shared. In spite of it all, God has been good and I gave it my best. I did it my way.”Because of her leadership qualities Gina had many civic affiliations such as: Member, District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce-Women in Business Policy Committee; Member Professional Convention Management Association; Board Member of Northwest Baltimore Youth Services, Inc.; Member of the Baltimore Marketing Association, Inc.; Former Board Member and Publicity Chair, “A Better Chance” (Wellesley, MA); Former Member of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce; Mayor’s Task Force on Community Improvement (Friday’s Group); National Coalition of 100 Black Women; the Jack & Jill of America Inc., Baltimore Chapter; and the Past President of the Harbor City Chapter, Links, Inc.Gina lovingly leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Jasmin Louise Stepney, her parents, Dr. Theodore and Mrs. Sylvia T. Patterson, one sister, Mrs. Tina Patterson Ricker, and brother-in-law, Mr. John Andrew Ricker, Sr., one brother, Dr. Chavis A. Patterson, and sister-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Hayden, former husband, Mr. Leutral Stepney, and mother-in-law, Mrs. Patricia Stepney, two nieces, two nephews, and a host of relatives and devoted friends.

Tributes

Gina L. Patterson

November 3, 1957 - September 23, 2006