Patricia Bonner, 85, of Avon-by-The-Sea, N.J., died on Sept. 28 from complications with dementia. She was a devoted mother of four daughters, a grandmother of eight and a devout Catholic. Pat, as she was known to all, was born on Jan. 30, 1938, in Brooklyn, a borough she never left mentally (or linguistically), although she lived most of her adult life on Long Island before retiring to the Jersey Shore.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 55 years, Michael F. Bonner, and her daughter, Liz Bonner. Survived by her three loving daughters, Patricia Boylan (Paul Boylan), Denise Bonner-Stone (Mike Stone) and Jeanne Bonner (Mike Cocca), as well as eight grandchildren: Aileen, Brighid, Michael and Jack Boylan; Colin, Ian and Brendan Stone; and Leo Cocca. She is also survived and mourned by her sister, Norma Ryan (John Ryan), and her brother, Larry Tisdall (Sherry Williams).

Pat attended St. Catherine’s Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn. She was also a graduate of St. John’s University in Queens. After initially working in the hospital delivery room, she later transitioned to being a school nurse at both Hicksville Junior High School and Hicksville High School. It was a tough job but one she excelled at, in part because she loved joking around with the students and the faculty, but also because she was truly compassionate. She could talk to anyone – and did, from the checkout girl at Pathmark (the supermarket where she shopped on Long Island) to Ernie, the mailman, and all of her children’s friends. She enjoyed reading about history, perusing The New York Times each day and completing the crossword puzzle. 

Pat was a Girl Scout leader and also taught catechism. She brainstormed science project ideas, chaperoned school trips and tirelessly ferried her children to activities.

Lastly, she relished being a grandmother, and was especially attentive to picking out personalized gifts for her grandchildren that emphasized their individual personalities and conveyed their utmost importance to her. 

She has gone to be with God, and is in a part of heaven where the Dodgers never left Brooklyn. Her cherished brother, Spike Tisdall, who died tragically at age 18, is also there.

The family will receive friends Thursday Oct.5th, 3 to 7PM. A Mass of Christian Liturgy will be offered on Friday Oct. 6th.,10:30am. at the Church of St Mary 91 Home Ave. Rutherford. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery 340 Ridge Road Rutherford. Friends attending Funeral services are asked to arrive at the funeral home Friday at 9:45am