Patricia Joanne Hanigan, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Volunteer, World Traveler

Patricia Joanne Hanigan passed away on September 30, 2022, after living a full and joyous life for 89 years. She was a strong, smart, loving woman who was proud to call herself a daughter wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, volunteer, sister and friend.

Born December 26, 1932, in the small town of Rossville, Indiana, to Oliver O. Dixon and wife Grace Brookings Dixon, Pat grew up on her family farm in southern Indiana, as well as in towns across the United States as her family traveled in support of her father’s military career.  Part of a loving family, she leaves behind brothers Max and Steve Dixon and sister Cheryl Kelsey and step-sister Annette Donegan.   She was married for 43 years to Dr. Levin B. Hanigan, who preceded her in death, and raised 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.  At the time of her death, Pat lived in Avalon Assisted Living in Bridgewater, New Jersey, surrounded by a talented and caring staff.  She lived for 61 years in Mountainside, New Jersey, where she and husband Lee raised their family.

Pat’s love for her family formed the core of her life. She was happiest with a house full of children and grandchildren.  She loved to play on the floor with her grandchildren and lead them on a variety of adventures, happily referred to by some as “Camp Grandma.”  She is survived by son Jay Hanigan (wife, Rosie), Patricia Hanigan Scroggs (husband, Stephen), Keith Hanigan, and Leigh Anne Cascio.  Her grandchildren include Rachel Shank, Timothy Hanigan, Kayla Hanigan, Georgina Hanigan, Ryan Hanigan, Sean Hanigan, Sarah Scroggs, Andrea Scroggs, Gabrielle Cascio, Gianna Cascio, and Gillian Cascio.  Kai Shank, 1 year old, is her great grandchild.

Besides her family, Pat’s greatest passions were teaching and community service.  After completing an education degree at Indiana University, she taught elementary school in Kokomo, Indiana, and later in Arlington, Virginia, bringing her strong commitment to engaging students in active learning.  While teaching in Arlington, she received a master’s degree in education at George Washington University.  During this time, she met husband, Lee, who was also an educator.  They began raising a family, with a move to New Jersey where Lee served as Superintendent of the Mountainside Public Schools.  Keen to return to education after time spent raising her family, Pat decided to move from elementary education to special education.  She earned a certificate in Special Education from Kean College and became a Special Education teacher and Learning Consultant at Governor Livingston High School, where she worked for almost twenty years.

Pat was also active in her community and her church, believing that service was the highest calling.  She was a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader, led numerous Cancer Foundation drives, volunteered innumerable hours at the Hearing Society, Children’s Specialized Hospital, the Mountainside Library, and CONTACT We Care, among other organizations.  Active in the Community Presbyterian Church in Mountainside, she served as an Elder, a Deacon, a Sunday School Teacher, and on virtually every committee.  She was a woman of deep faith who believed that service and caring for others were the greatest manifestation of God’s love.

One of Pat’s greatest loves was travel.  The little girl from rural Indiana grew up to travel all around the world.  Following a post-college trip with friends around the United States and into Mexico, Pat developed a strong love for exploration.  She visited locations throughout the United States and in Europe, Asia, Canada, Central and South America.  She was ready to pack a suitcase and go any time – whether to visit one of her children posted overseas, travel with friends, or take an educational tour.  She had an adventurous spirit and a love for learning that sustained her throughout her life.

A memorial service for Pat will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church, 1459 Deer Path, Mountainside, NJ 07092, on Sunday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mountainside Community Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden or to the New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

You are encouraged to visit Pat’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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