Miriam Louise Towle

Miriam Louise Towle went to be with the Lord on October 11, 2019.

Life Celebration: Is soon to be set at the Gateway Church North Fort Worth Campus.

The world had been given the opportunity to get to know her on Easter Morning of April 22, 1939. She was born in Chicago, Illinois to David and Viola Short. David Short was a dedicated father while working the evening shift at the Chicago Roto Print. Viola Short left her career as a secretary for a greater career of molding the lives of her young children.

There is so much that could be said about Miriam and what a powerful woman she has been. Her strength, energy and passion has affected so many that it would have been impossible to count. She was named after her grandmothers. Having the name Miriam gave her great pride as she was ministered to as a young girl at church to become all she could be. She will be remembered and loved as she lived.

Miriam grew up in Chicago with her parents, grandma and sister, Janet. Her nights were filled with falling asleep giggling with her sister. Her mother Viola read through the bible together with the girls each year and prayed for others daily. Walks through the nature preserve next door and the feeling of snow as it gently touched her face and all that went along with winter were fond memories as a child. Weekly the family enjoyed special gatherings with others, and each year the family took a vacation along with a thrilling trip to Diamond Lake.

Miriam has been fortunate in that she has always been surrounded by loved ones who have had the privilege to live with her or lived in the same neighborhood. Pastor Robert Burrows was a great impact on her and her family but her church home was at Jefferson Park Bible Church through her young life. Miriam gave her heart to Jesus when she was about 7 and committed herself to do and not do what she felt was appropriate. She was baptized at 12 years old at the church she loved. There was always a great summer program to be a part of and as she became older in the church Miriam became a youth counselor for some time along with various missions around Chicago.

Miriam has lived a life of serving others through her passion for children through music and as a faithful member of the churches that also supported her. Inspiration and drive for music was given to Miriam through her mom and her Aunt Gladys. Her career began at the young age of 16 teaching accordion to 50 plus students. Her head instructor, Mr Ray Wilkins, of ten years of being a part of their band, saw such potential in her that he offered her her own studio within his school that she immediately accepted.

In addition to Miriam’s accordion lessons she was a member of the Future Teachers of America Club and remained on the Scholastic Scroll for 4 years while playing the viola. As a motivated young lady Miriam received her degree in music from The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. While admiring the impact that missionaries had on the world Miriam was open to where the Lord was going to send her, despite her concern of what she may have to eat. Fortunately, Miriam was drawn to the shores of southern California from her beloved home on the northwest side of Chicago. At 24 in 1964 Miriam moved to Long Beach California with a dear friend from Chicago that invited her, Kelly Kelgard. The intention was to rest and pray for God’s further direction in her life in an area that she liked a lot.

At 25 years old Miriam met James Patterson at a friends wedding that they were both a part of and began an immediate connection. The conversations flowed easily as they began to spend much of their time together. April 2, 1966 they had their wedding celebration. The romance was moving but quickly ended after the wedding. Miriam was able to come out of the marriage blessed with two beautiful children that she raised with her ever expanding music career wherever she went. Miriam was an amazing mom and then grandma as she set such an example of what life is like when you follow a serving heart for our Lord.

Miriam was able to live out her passion as a piano teacher for 60 years. Her students truly were special to her in so many ways. She would light up at those recitals seeing all of her students perform. It was a testimony to her character that allowed so many learn how to express beauty through Music. In addition to music recitals, she also helped produce 25 years of Christmas Pageants at Fontana Christian School, where she was a beloved teacher. Each of those Pageants took hundreds of hours of preparation and practice. A typical day for Miriam, for all her working years, was composed of about 16 hours of work, 1 hour to eat, and 7 hours of sleep. Weekends were spent giving lessons on Saturdays and going to church on Sundays. While raising her two beautiful children she directed 20 all-school Christ centered programs each consisting of approximately 250 children’s voices beginning in 1981 at Fontana Christian School. David and Karen attended school there for most of their grade school education and later her first three grandchildren were able to do the same.

Miriam’s family has grown through her own two children to now five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. At the age of 61 Miriam writes about how she is still growing in the love of Jesus and her frustration of being a busy Martha working 12 hour days instead of a Mary at the feet of Jesus. With no objection to the great joy she was receiving with the rewarding tasks of work and family she seems to be reminding us through her writings to not be too busy to sit at His feet and be in His perfect will. Also, at 61 Miriam still wanted to continue learning, become a better witness for Christ and laugh more. Many of us would debate her desire of being a better witness because she seemed to be the best around. She has brought many others into the family of Christ.

Miriam will live on through the precious lives of:

Her son, David Patterson and wife Mindy, their two children - Conner Patterson and Carolyn Patterson.

Her daughter, Karen Zinicola, her three children - Nicholas Zinicola, Vincent Zinicola, and Ginia Zinicola; and her five great grandchildren as of Oct 2019 - Aiden Zinicola, Grey Zinicola, Elijah Zinicola, Zeke Zinicola, and Forrest Zinicola.

Life shaping books:
Bible - God
Lord I want to Know You - K. Arthur
In His Steps - C.H. Sheldon
Experiencing God - Blackaby & King
Favorite Hymn:
Day By Day
On Christ, the Solid Rock I Stand
Great is thy Faithfulness

The most important lessons that can be passed on from what helped give her strength are listed. Once you review her insights that she has lived by please post your stories of inspiration that will encourage her family in this generation and those to come. Miriam has grown such a strong family in Christ and we would love to have a legacy to pass down to more than just the three generations that she has left behind. Add your story and your comments below so that we can honor you as part of her celebration of life.

God is in control!
Don’t dwell on the ‘negative!
Never give up!
“I can do all things thru Christ who gives me strength.”
Set goals!
‘Laughter’ is good medicine!
“It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men”
Proverbs 3:5,6
ONLY ONE LIFE, TWILL SOON BE PAST, ONLY WHAT’S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST
JESUS IS ALL THAT MATTERS
DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU
TRUE JOY IS JESUS FIRST, OTHERS SECOND, SELF LAST
GOD IS FAITHFUL, TRUST HIM COMPLETELY
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

This site will also be a record of the attendance at Gateway Church’s celebration service so please comment and include your names.

Thank you for being a part of our family!