Valarie Patterson, 55, who knew every alderman in the city and worked with politicians in city, county and state government, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, of breast cancer in Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Since the late-1960s, Ms. Patterson was an employee of the city of Chicago, Cook County or Illinois state government, working as everything from an executive assistant to project manager. Born and raised on the South Side, Ms. Patterson graduated from Dunbar High School in 1965, where she was a cheerleader, said her sister, Kristina. After school, she went to work for Michael Reese Hospital but soon followed her mother into working for the county. She spent 15 years in the county clerk’s office before she was offered a position with Atty. Gen. Roland Burris as an executive secretary. During that time and for many years after, Ms. Patterson worked closely with powerful people, but she never let it show in her attitude, her longtime friend and colleague Sandy Lewis said. “She was the most humble person you would ever want to meet. She always put herself last and other people’s concerns first,” Lewis said. It was that spirit that kept her in public work, friends and family said. When she left Burris’ office, Ms. Patterson joined the city, working for the Park District, Department of Streets and Sanitation and, most recently, the Department of Water. For nine months, she worked in the mayor’s office, as an administrative secretary for Charles R. Bowen, Mayor Richard Daley’s executive assistant. Ms. Patterson’s service extended to her neighborhood where she was a block club president. Ms. Patterson traveled much of the country and just “enjoyed the party” her whole life, her sister said. She is survived by another sister, Rev. Carole H. Fuzell, and a brother, Fred T. Howard. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, with services at 10 a.m. Saturday, in A.A. Rayner Funeral Home, 318 E. 71st St., Chicago.
