March 2020 was rather hard on the PSF family, especially in terms of the death of devoted friends. Just two days after our beloved Aunt Betty Patterson Medlin passed from us, our precious Janet H. Wilson followed her to Heaven on March 14.
Janet had been an ex officio member of our Foundation Board for almost 10 years. She was quiet and did not want praise, but among other accomplishments, she was instrumental in bringing Patterson Science Center (PSC) to our Campus.
PSC brought thousands of Caldwell County students to our historic School Campus every year. Director Amy Bradley Philyaw and her staff opened the doors to the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture/Art, and Math (STEAM) to small groups of students daily. The benefits of this partnership extended far beyond our immediate community, with many students benefiting from five adjacent counties, as well as continuing education instruction for teachers throughout the state.
PSC operated on our Campus from August 2012 to September 2019, but then reopened in the Freedman Community Center in Lenoir as simply “The Science Center.” The educational opportunities abound, even though they are no longer coming through “PSC” on our Campus. Janet Wilson’s legacy continues through this institution as well as through many avenues unknown to us.
Patterson School Foundation, and many others in this area, have, and will, continue to benefit from her commitment to environmental stewardship and love of nature.
Janet’s generosity and good will knew no bounds; she was also a gracious, wise and loyal friend. She is much loved and missed! We extend our prayers to her family and many friends for their comfort and peace.