Wanda Faye Patton, affectionately known as Wanda Faye or “Wendy”, made her transition on September 6, 2023 at 8:24 pm.

Wanda, born to Warren and Eulalia Patton in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at Druid City hospital on August 18,1954 with a mane of curls, and with the bounce of a ball, would go on to become an entrepreneur, small business owner, and a champion in her field designing hospital interiors.

Shortly after her birth, her parents relocated to Chicago, Illinois., where she would begin her elementary education at Dixon Elementary School in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood.

Her parents would separate within a few years of their move to Chicago and Wanda, the oldest of three children at the time would eventually become “big sis” to five siblings.

Wanda seemed to make friends easily and her gregarious outward disposition was attractive.

Wanda enjoyed the music of lots of talented people, but some of her favorites were David Bowie, Gino Vannelli, the 5th Dimension, and Chaka Khan. She would often be heard or seen crooning and rhythmically swaying to the music of these artists!

Matriculating to Lindblom High and then MacMurray College, Wanda developed friendships quickly. Her quick wit and easy going personality invited friends to her by the dozen. No shrinking violet, Wanda would be introduced to society by the Chicago Northern District Women’s Association (CNDA).

Upon graduating from MacMurray College, Wanda journeyed to Boston where she carried with her some lifelong friendships and received a Masters in Social Work from Boston University in 1977. Fanning her creative interests, she attended the New England School of Art and Design in 1982 and received her degree in 1984.

After working for almost ten years as an administrator with Boston’s Department of Social Services, Wanda made several life defining changes: she married and decided to change careers! It was shortly after making these changes that she would venture full time into the world of interior design.

Wanda would begin honing her designing craft at a host of Boston institutions Some of which were Allmerica Financial, Workspace Design, Corporate Interiors, and Haworth Furniture.

Lover of her independence, the arts, and all things “Frank Lloyd Wright”, Wanda launched her own Design Firm in 2002, but shortly thereafter joined a fellow designer to create the Nola Patton Design Collaborative.

After over ten years as a partner in this collaboration, Wanda launched out once again to return to a solo proprietorship, the Patton Design Collaborative aka WFP Designs. It was from this firm that she would retire earlier this year.

Wanda loved her work and spent a significant part of her life continuing to develop her craft.

Wanda was no slacker. She was industrious, disciplined, and extremely reliable. She embodied work ethics that few people attain to.

Wanda really enjoyed traveling and was always looking for “the next place”! In addition to anticipating closing on a new home in Savannah Georgia this month, her next trip was to have been South Africa.

A lover of great food, Wanda was an unpaid food critic! She knew good food and had very little time for or interest in mediocre fare!

Wanda was getting ready to live the second leg of her life’s journey when on September 6th she went into eternity. She will be greatly missed by many.

Wanda leaves to mourn Eulalia, Jacqueline, Tony, Paul, Sean, Jon and Derek, along with a host of extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

We mourn her passing and look to celebrate her life at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Monday September 25 at 11:00 AM. Family and friends invited. A visiting hour will be held prior to the service from 10-11 AM. Burial at Forest Hills Cemetery.