Tonia Marisa Patterson, loved family, animals, children

Tonia Marisa (Pierantozzi) Patterson, 61, of Greenville, passed away unexpectedly Friday, April 4, 2025. Born in Wilmington, she was the middle daughter of Amerigo and Elia Pierantozzi. Raised Catholic from an amazing Italian American heritage, she grew up in Little Italy, attended St. Anthony’s Grade School and Parish, and graduated from Padua Academy. She had the courage to make her own way, and followed her entrepreneurial spirit and countless talents.

Tonia was an elite make-up artist who won numerous national and Best of Delaware awards. She was beautiful, special, gentle, and incredibly thoughtful. She loved children and animals, and went out of her way to be kind to people she knew, clients, family, friends, and strangers.

She would always greet people she met with kind words and sincere compliments. She brought joy wherever she went and had the unique ability to make people feel special. She went out of her way to do the little extra to brighten someone’s day or enrich an experience.

A graduate of the Shilling-Douglas School of Hair Design and Cosmetology, she went on to run her own business, Ooh La La – The Make-up Studio, for over 40 years, beginning at the young age of 19. Her charisma and beauty were undeniable, yet she maintained a down-to-earth persona that made so many people feel enriched through her friendship. She was incredibly close to her two sisters, Luana and Jane, and loved spending time with family in Rehoboth Beach.

Tonia was predeceased by her grandparents, Pietro and Adele (Tortu’) Ricci, and Nazzareno and Argia (Lucidi) Pierantozzi from Teramo, Italy.

Tonia is survived by her husband, Philip M. Patterson Jr.; her parents, Amerigo and Elia Pierantozzi; her sisters, Luana Liberatore (Steve) and Jane Pierantozzi; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Philip Sr. and Elizabeth Patterson; sister in-law, Lynne (Logan) Sturgill; nieces, Carina Liberatore, Gracie Liberatore, Laura Sturgill and Sarah Sturgill; her cat, Gigi, whom she adored; and numerous cousins and in-laws.

During this difficult time, the family requests privacy to process their grief.

All services were held privately.

A memorial mass will be held in Tonia’s memory and honor Sunday, April 13, in Paolantonio, Provincia Teramo, Italy, arranged by her Italian cousins, aunts, and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory/honor of Tonia can be made to Faithful Friends Animal Society, 302-427-8514, faithfulfriend.us; or St. Anthony of Padua Grade School, 302-421-3743, sapgs.org.