Patricia Leona Goettsch, 86, of Readington Township, entered into eternal life on April 25, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, at home under the care of Hunterdon Hospice.

Patricia was born on March 4, 1936 in Passaic, NJ to the late Leona and Ralph J. Furman. She was preceded in death in 2019 by her older sister Dorothy, and in 2008 by her fraternal twin sister Theresa. Patricia was the last surviving member of her immediate family. An older brother died in infancy.

Growing up in East Rutherford, NJ Patricia always had a feeling that she would “marry a man from the midwest, with an unusual last name.” Dean Goettsch, from Holstein, IA, was stationed in NJ while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He met Patricia as the result of a chance meeting during a blind date on July 4, 1954. It was “love at first sight” for Patricia and Dean, and they became engaged on Christmas Day, 1954. They married August 27, 1955 and subsequently resided for a number of years in Wallington, NJ. In 1961, the couple moved to the town of Raritan, NJ where they resided for 10 years before settling in Readington Township in 1971.

Patricia and Dean were blessed with three children. Dean, Jr., a corporate sales trainer, and his wife Lynne, reside in Phillipsburg, NJ. Douglas, a pharmacist, and Rozalyn, a corporate travel agent, reside in Flemington, NJ. Dean, Jr. and Lynne blessed Patricia and Dean with granddaughters Allison and Holly, both of Phillipsburg. Patricia lived long enough to hold her great-granddaughter in her arms when Holly and her husband Frank welcomed their daughter Riley on January 9, 2021.

After graduation from William Paterson College, Patricia obtained a teaching credential and became a high school teacher. She eventually transitioned to elementary school education, and taught at Old York School in Branchburg, NJ for three decades before retiring in 1995. Husband Dean was also a professional educator, and departmental supervisor who taught at Watchung Hills Regional High School for 35 years before retiring in 1995.

Patricia was a wonderful wife, devoted to her loving husband. Patricia and Dean reached a milestone when they celebrated their 66^th wedding anniversary on August 27, 2021. Patricia was a wonderful, caring, and nurturing mother, always willing to make sacrifices for her children. She encouraged her children to seek higher education and always supported them in their endeavors. Patricia was a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. Her granddaughters and great-granddaughter were very precious to her. A supporter of the ASPCA, she was also a lover of animals who rescued and provided loving homes to seven dogs and more than a dozen cats during her lifetime.

She was an avid reader who enjoyed novels and reading about historical figures. Patricia was very fond of television game shows, and never missed an episode of the show Jeopardy. Often consulted by others, Patricia had an amazing ability to recall the birthdates, anniversaries, and important dates in the lives of her immediate and extended family members and friends. Patricia was a believer in speaking grammatically-correct, and being well-organized and punctual at all times. She was also a proficient knitter of afghans and baby blankets, and enjoyed needlepoint. An avid traveler, she enjoyed many trips and cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii. Every summer, Patricia and Dean would take their family on a road trip to Iowa to visit Dean’s home town and relatives. These road trips would often include many educational side trips along the way.

Patricia was a devotee of the Blessed Mother with a twice-daily recitation of the Holy Rosary. Her passing leaves a void in the lives of her family and friends which will never be filled. Those she leaves behind are comforted by the belief that the Blessed Mother took Patricia by the hand and welcomed her into the presence of the Lord.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Kenneth Brighenti will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

All guests are kindly asked to meet directly at the church, beginning at 9:45 a.m. Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors will direct you upon arrival.

Interment will follow at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

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.

Memorial contributions in Patricia’s honor may be made to Catholic Charities, via mail to 6 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822, or online by clicking HERE.

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