Obituary of Patricia Prentice

"I carry your heart, I carry it in my heart."

       E.E. Cummings

On Friday, August 7, 2020, the beautiful Patricia Ann Elizabeth Prentice (nee: Donnelly), 64, passed away peacefully at home while holding hands with her loving husband and children. Patricia was born on January 12, 1956, to the late George and Mildred Donnelly (nee: Brewster) in the Ironbound district of Newark, New Jersey.  At sixteen years old, Patricia met the love of her life, her “Marine,” John; the two wed on May 22, 1976, and shared over forty-four years of wedded bliss.

While raising three little ones and working full-time, Patricia attended the County College of Morris where she proudly earned her nursing degree. For over thirty years, Patricia compassionately cared for those in need, during her time at Dover General Hospital and St. Clare’s Hospital, Denville, New Jersey. Patricia took great pride in caring for her patients, treating all with great empathy, love and dignity, ecspecially while tending to many during their last moments.

While nursing was her calling, Patricia’s greatest joy in life came from creating happineess in the eyes of her children and family. Writing their own love story, John and Patricia welcomed four children into the world, John, Jr. (deceased), Amanda, Brian and Jessie. The “Prentice Gang” shared warm summers at the Jersey Shore, eating licorce on the beach, ice cream cones on the boardwalk, and crabbing and skee-ball on cloudy days. Although “Mom” was her most famous title, “Nana” was her favorite. All who knew her, were blessed to find abundant comfort in her eyes, warmth in her smile and pure acceptance and love in her embrace.

Patricia is survived by her devoted husband, John; loving children, Amanda Rose Ocasio (Richard), Brian Patrick Prentice (Jessica) and Jessica Anne Lobdell (Jason); adored grandchildren, Noah Anthony Ocasio, Cole Patrick Prentice, Kimberely and Kiara Ocasio and grand-baby Shepard Donnelly Lobdell; dear sisters, Elizabeth Ann Maresca and Colleen Russell; and loyal pup (and “secret favorite child”) Abbie.

Although we are deeply saddened by her passing, we take great comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her first baby, John, and our two Angels are together once again; we patiently await the day that we are all together again.

Family and Friends are invited to visit on Wednesday, August 12th from 3:00-7:00pm, at the Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Thursday, August 13th at 10:00am, to be held at Saint Mary’s RC Church, Denville; interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. **Please note, masks are required as is continued social distancing.  During visitation we kindly ask that all be mindful of the time so as to allow for all of our family and friends to have the same opporutnity to visit.