Patricia Minan Casey, 88, of Hasbrouck Heights died Monday, January 29, 2024 in her sleep after a brief illness.  She was preceded in death by her deeply loved and greatly mourned husband, James, as well as her four sisters, Mary, Jean, Irene, and Margaret (Peggy), the last of whom Pat danced with in USO shows in the 1940s and with whom Pat had a special bond. She's survived by 13 nieces and nephews, numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, seven great grandnieces and grandnephews as well as a multitude of godchildren, all of whom Pat made feel special.

Pat was a trademark coordinator in the legal department at Colgate-Palmolive, where she worked for 40 years and forged enduring friendships with numerous remarkable women, many of whom described her as a mentor. When informed of her passing, several of her friends remarked that they'd feared the worst when they failed to receive one of Pat's famous Christmas cards (each with a personalized note, of course.) Pat's friends valued her for her kindness, strength of character and keen intelligence.

It was at Colgate that Pat discovered her talent for precision translated into a gift for gift-wrapping. (The wrapping on the presents she and Jim gave their nieces and nephews were fit to be given to royalty.) She also had the patience to tinsel a Christmas tree, strand by strand by strand.

It was also at Colgate that Pat met Jim and though she loved to relate exactly where in St. Patrick's Jim proposed to her, she admitted it wasn't love at first sight, at least for her. Eventually their relationship became a model for many. Having no children of their own, they became each other's world and "Pat and Jim" was spoken like it was a single person. They loved life, family and to entertain. Jim cooked and Pat decorated and hosted. They also loved to travel, spending vacations in various parts of the world (Vienna was a favorite) usually with some of their friends. Nieces and nephews could usually count on a souvenir upon their return.

Pat and Jim were devout Catholics, and their faith permeated every part of their lives. Pat was very much a traditionalist who once called her parish to give the priests a piece of her mind when they stopped the blessing of the throats on the Feast of St. Blaise.

Pat knew everyone's birthday and anniversary, and could tell you the date of every one of her extended family's passing. Though she had a big heart, Pat was a straight-shooter and no one's fool. She was a loving aunt, but also one you would not want to cross.

The Pat described above is how her loved ones remember her as they were growing up. She was never the same after Jim died 21 years ago. Though she could still be counted on for sage advice, Christmas cards (which were now signed by Pat, and Jim in "spirit"), and would be quick to tend to an ill relative, the light and love of her life was gone. Weekly trips to the cemetery out to Long Island to be with Jim became the norm. The fireplace in their living room still contains the ashes of the last fire that she and Jim shared more than two decades ago and it's his voice you hear on her answering machine.

Since Jim's passing, the highlight of Pat's year was the annual memorial service held at Jim's grave in Long Island. Pat stressed over every detail of the program (though it never changed) and spent months preparing the ceremony with the attention to detail of a military campaign. Only after the service, when dining with friends and family with everyone telling stories about Jim did Pat seem happy and at peace.

So though we mourn Pat's passing, we mainly grieve for ourselves. She's with Jim, and that's what she so very wanted. We can rejoice that they're together again but we should also feel a bit of sympathy for Saint Peter, who by now has been told that the Pearly Gates need cleaning and aligning. Also for the heavenly orchestra that will be fielding requests for "Lara's Theme" from "Dr. Zhivago" for Pat and her "honey" to the end of time.

Funeral from Costa Memorial Home Boulevard and Central Avenue Hasbrouck Heights on Monday, February 5th at 9:00 AM. Funeral Liturgy from Corpus Christi R.C. Church 260 Boulevard Hasbrouck Heights at 10:00 AM. Entombment following at The Casey Family Mausoleum in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY.  Visitation Sunday, February 4th from 1 - 5 PM at the funeral home.