Patricia Jennie (Torrisi) Hill, 84, of Red Bank, formerly a long-time Middletown resident, peacefully passed away from multiple sclerosis April 23, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
Patricia was preceded in death by her devoted husband Richard, her cherished sister Mary Cole, and her mother and father, Angelo and Jennie (Anastasi) Torrisi.
Patricia will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but mostly by her four children and in-laws, Karen McNamara (Sean), Kevin (Carolyn), Brian (Christine) and Lauren Hill; 11 grandchildren, Brendan, Megan, Patrick, Shannon, Michael, Katherine, Brian, Troy, Kyle, Rhiannon and Liam; and her three great-granddaughters, Mackenzie, Lydia and Blair. She is also survived by her brother Richard Torrisi and her long-time dedicated aide and friend Dian Owen.
Patricia always felt she had lived “a charmed life” which began May 20, 1938. She was born, raised, educated, employed and married in New Brunswick.
She met and fell in love with her husband of 62 years, Richard Hill, while working at Rutgers University. Patricia and Richard were married May 2, 1959, at Sacred Heart Church.
Patricia was a supportive wife and full-time mother, roles she relished and excelled in. She raised her family across the country when Richard’s career transferred them from Livingston to California, Illinois, Minnesota, Holmdel, Florida and Middletown. She embraced these moves with the attitude of “bloom where you are planted.”
Active in the Catholic church throughout her life, Patricia was a faithful and charitable parishioner at the Church of Saint Catharine in Holmdel where she was a Eucharistic Minister. She was honored with the Bayshore Medical Center Humanitarian Award, served as membership chairperson for Rutgers Women’s League, and volunteered at Lunch Break and many other charitable causes. Pat was a role model who cultivated a sense of service in her children and grandchildren.
In middle age, Pat became a long-distance runner, competing in road races across the country with her husband, children and grandchildren and winning hundreds of awards over a running career spanning 30 years.
Patricia was happiest hosting holidays and celebrating milestones at her welcoming home. She was an avid reader and had an eclectic musical taste, ranging from Pavarotti to Willie Nelson. Pat also enjoyed knitting Christmas stockings for the grandchildren, baking Italian Easter nests and watching Cape Cod sunsets over Snake Pond.
A fantastic family historian, Patricia collected mementos (photographs, letters, keepsakes) and memories. She regularly surprised loved ones with detailed accounts of their childhood that had often been forgotten. While these recollections speak volumes about her incredible memory, they also reflect the attention she gave others, making each feel valued and appreciated. Patricia was a shining example of goodness.
The family extends their deep gratitude to Dian Owen for her generous heart and compassionate care to Patricia and Richard for eight years.
Visitation was April 27 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial took place April 28 at St. James Church, Red Bank. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations may be made to SHARE in Africa, 100 Beach Drive, NE, Suite 902, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 or shareinafrica.org.
The article originally appeared in the May 11 – 17, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
