Stella Walthall Patterson
The features of the face of this 80 year old, reflected warmth and beauty of those blessed with good health through most of their lifetime.
Wrinkles were few and formed around the smile and laughter lines noted in those who enjoyed life on their terms.
As Stella penned her notes for her planned book while living on a remote mountain mining claim while in her 80s, the smile broke through as if reliving an episode that would be the beginning of the next chapter.
Dear Mad’m was published after her death in 1955 and has continued to find its way to Book Clubs all over the world since then. Readers are treated to her wit and her colorful way with words describing the times about 1940 as she tackles her everyday chores without modern conveniences, an astonishing change from her early life in the social life of San Francisco.
(The above notes were written while this artist studied an old photo of Ms. Patterson, in preparation for doing a sketch of the writer, beloved by the artist as well as others who have come to know her through the pages of this book).