Betty J. Pattisall, 73, of Alexandria, died June 19, 2017 at Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington, VA after a long battle with several illnesses. Betty was born February 17, 1944 in Washington, DC, to the late Minnie Pruitt. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She was also a well loved member of the Woodley Hills Elementary School family for 35 years. She was quiet, compassionate and had a deep love for children. She was a person who cared deeply and expected nothing in return. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph T. Pattisall. She is survived by her children, Joseph T. Pattisall, II, and Karen Risdon Walt; grandchildren, Ruby and Dylan Risdon.A Life Celebration service will be 11am Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA.
811 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314
06/28/2017
11:00am - 12:00pm
I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family for the loss of your dear Betty, who spent her life giving to others. I hope that you will find comfort in the words of Jesus at John 5:28,29 where he promised that the day is coming when he is going to resurrect back to life those in the grave. Until then, it is just like they are sleeping. (John 11:11-13) May your family draw strength from Jehovah, the God of all Comfort.
We were friends and laugh mates for the 10 years I was at Woodley Hills. She was truly one of a kind and I\’ll remember her always. So long dear heart until we meet again.
Betty was one of the first people that befriended me when I came to Woodley Hills. She was always a great help to me in the work room and always made time to help me with my never ending clerical jobs. Betty had so much compassion for others and was always looking out for students and families that needed something extra. She was happy to help out but never needed or wanted recognition. She truly worked “behind the scenes” and gave generously to so many children. I am so sorry that she has passed and will always remember her for all the kindness she shared.
How do I begin to describe a person I spent so much time with in our job as instructional assistant. We disagreed one moment and laughed the next. The one thing I can say is that she loved the kids. Some of them was scared at first but they all grew to love her. My kids included. I can’t believe my Betty Lou will not Grace the halls of Woodley Hills any longer. I know she will be there in spirit. She spent over half her adult life there. She loved to eat. Especially junk which I gave her a hard time about. She was the toughest lady I knew. Never complained. I will miss her
Betty was a fixture at Woodley Hills. Her compassion and caring spirit toward our students was evidenced each day particularly as she hosted lunch. She was there for our students whatever they needed. Incredible to think she took care of hundreds of children each and every school day, and knew them all. She was there for all of us, whatever we needed. She will be deeply missed. So sorry for your loss.
Mrs. Pattisall was one of the most giving souls I have ever met. She loved to help everyone who had a need and she really helped me learn about being an Instructional Assistant while I worked at Woodley Hills. I am very, very sorry for your loss, your mother and grandmother was a wonderful woman. Please take comfort in knowing that she touched so many people in wonderful ways and she spent her time giving and not expecting anything in return. She will be missed!
One of the sweetest and nicest persons you will ever meet. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Betty’s family both home and school. We will miss you!
The kind heart of this beautiful person will be very much missed in our community. So many of us, young and old, were touched by her boundless generosity and spirit. Rest In Peace dear one.
Oh, Betty, you will be missed! I pray for peace for your family and friends. Your Woodley Hills family all love you so much!
So sorry for your loss. Betty was a sweet person and a wonderful asset to Woodley Hills, where she was well loved. She will be missed so much. God Bless
I will truly miss this angel but there was worked to be done elsewhere. Rest in peace Betty for you have touched so many hearts and minds here on this Earth. Job Well Done!
Betty was a blessing to each person she met. She was a living example of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This world is poorer without Betty.
Betty was a blessing to each person she met. She was a living example of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This world is poorer without Betty.
Nothing can ever prepare someone for a loss such as this, my heart goes out to Joseph and Karen, I love you both and I am so sorry for your loss. Betty may have left this world but she will forever remain in so many of our hearts. I am not great with words but I can say the way I felt about her was like no one else in my life, she was very much a second mother to me and my heart breaks knowing she is now gone. I have some of the most wonderful memories of her and Tom both, to a small child the stories that she would tell we’re endless and the adventures we would go on always seemed so grand, everyday was like with her. It’s was always fun and exciting all the while she was teaching me lessons of kindness, love and hope that stayed with me as I grew. I have so many silly memories of doing all these things with her and the family, like sitting with Tom on his chair eating spaghettios while Betty would braid my hair. Betty and I would spend hours coloring masterpieces that she would so proudly display on her fridge for all to see. Her calling me her Mandy Poo from Kalamazoo, I can’t help but laugh writing that but she had this beautiful sense of humor and her laugh was simply contagious. You couldn’t help but smile in her company. The memory of her putting me on the bus my very first day of school and drove behind it all the way just to make sure I did okay, she started volunteering at woodley hills that very same year and she stayed all this time. She was even at my wedding all those years later. She truly had a heart of gold, All of us kids were so lucky to have her in our lives, she will be missed more than any of us can ever express. I know she’s at peace now and on her way to make new grand adventures with all her loved ones who were waiting with open arms for her. I’d like to think my mom was there waiting to see her best friend again after all these years.
No one loved the kids at Woodley Hills ES more than Mrs, Pattisall. She took care of those kids! She often said I can’t stand to see a kid not eating. She had her reserve stock of cereal and treats on hand to make sure all the kids had something to eat. And the kids looked forward to her dressing up for the holidays with a big bowl of candy. She was a straight shooter. May the family find comfort in the fond memories of dedicated service Mrs. Pattisall offered to the Woodley Hills community. She will be missed.Peace.
I Loved Mrs Pattisall. My heart melted of happiness whenever i saw her giving other students food. My dad went to this school while she worked here. He unfortunately passed away. May these 2 souls reunite in Heaven spreading happiness.
Ms. Pattisall was a great lady! She was always there for the students and staff at Woodley Hills Elementary. She will be greatly missed. Deepest condolences to the family and prayers for peace and comfort.
I’m so sorry for your loss Ms. Pattisal was a great person she will be missed by her Woodley hills family
Betty made my days easier with her selfless assistance, good sense of humor and good sense. She was always there for me. I admired her dedication and outlook on life. I am missing her deeply.
Thank you all that you did for me and the love you provided me during my time of need. I loved her for that.
Prayer for you family! May God give you all peace and comfort! Karen I only met your Mom a few times, I thought she was a very nice person, who truely love her grandchildren! God be with you all at this time of lost of a love one! <3
Betty was a blessing to each person she met. She was a living example of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This world is poorer without Betty.
“Betty was a blessing to each person she met. She was a living example of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This world is poorer without Betty.
Betty Pattisall will be deeply missed by her family and her Woodley Hills Family. She knew how to develop relationships and assist us all. She was a beautiful person. Her character shined everyday. May God bring peace and comfort to her family, friends, and the Woodley Hills community,
They say there are angels that walk on earth. Betty would be one of those. The children reaped the benefits of her big heart. She was funny, gentle, thoughtful… I could give many words to describe her. Woodley Hills has suffered a great loss but I think now she is with the angels above, she will be with WHES in spirit and she will be felt by the WHES family. I feel profound sadness that she is gone but joy that I had the fortune to have met her, sharing joys, jokes, and laughter with her. We must remember the good and not the sadness of her leaving. My condolences to her family. She will be missed. God bless.
So sad about your loss.she will be missed.
I’m so sad to hear this she was my neighbor in alexandria and she was also the lunch lady at woodley hills while I was there from 4 grade til 6th it makes me so sad , she used to give me an my friends extra lunch other kids did want .??
I worked with Betty many years at Woodley Hills elementary school. She had a very big heart of gold. I called her my friend. What can I say about her that hasn’t already been said? She was a good woman, a good friend and I know she loved her work and she loved the kids even more. Her grand children meant the world to her. The news of her passing was quite a blow to me. To her children Joseph and Karen please except my deepest condolences, I’m so sorry for your loss. Betty will truly be missed by all who knew her. Betty your work here is done my friend. May you now rest in eternal peace. Until we meet again.Debra Nickens