Ms. Paterson was born in Quinn Jingo, China. She is a graduate of King College, Bristol, Tennessee and holds masters degrees from both the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, Virginia and Union Theological Seminary, New York City. She lived and worked for four years in Japan. The Pater sons live in Barre where Dr. Paterson recently retired as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. They are the parents of four grown children. They have two granddaughters, a grandson, and are expecting another grandchild in the fall.