Patricia Prizzi

September 15, 1935 - April 15, 2020

Patricia Frances Prizzi (nee Vaughan), 84, passed away on April 15, 2020. She is survived by her four loving children: Mary Galligan and her husband Jack of Annandale, NJ, Charles Prizzi, Jr. of Jersey City, NJ, James Prizzi of Phoenix, AZ, Lynne Gaddy and her husband Scott of Newnan, GA. Patricia also leaves behind seven grandsons: Casey Galligan and his wife Gina, Kevin Galligan, Ryan Galligan and his wife Michelle, Steven Prizzi and his wife Nicole, Michael Prizzi, Jonathan Gaddy, and Justin Gaddy, as well as four great-grandchildren: Charlotte Galligan, John (Jacky) Galligan, Tavner Prizzi, and Jolene Prizzi. She is also survived by her sisters Joan Soldavini and Virginia Zindell. Patricia (Patty) was predeceased by her parents Frances and Cornelius T. Vaughan, her loving daughter Allison and her sister Carolyn Tevlin who just recently passed on Monday, April 13, 2020. Patricia was born and raised in Newark, NJ. She was a graduate of West Side High School. Patricia held many positions over the years including working at NJ Bell Telephone Co., sales at Lord and Taylor, and as an administrative secretary. She also worked yearly at the Board of Election Polls and enjoyed participating in the bake sales at her children’s schools. Patricia raised her family in Maplewood, NJ. She belonged to the Maplewood Women’s Club, particularly enjoying performing in their annual plays and rehearsing lines at home with her children. She had a terrific sense of humor, loved to laugh, and could never stay mad for long. A devout Catholic, Patricia instilled her faith in her children, as well as fostered their independence often by saying, “God helps those who help themselves!” She never missed her “card parties” at Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Joseph’s Churches in Maplewood. Proud of her Irish heritage, she also never missed a parade! Patricia loved to swim, and so summers were fondly spent at the community pool and a favorite little bungalow in the Atlantic Highlands. Patricia loved antiquing, bargain shopping and looking her best in her classy outfits. She took great pleasure popping in to visit her grandchildren to deliver little trinkets and treasures. Patricia loved to tell the stories about how her father worked on the Essex County Court House in Newark and how her grandfather James Sturdevant built brick homes in Livingston, NJ. She would often straighten a picture on the wall remarking, “I’m a carpenter’s daughter, you know!” Patricia will be remembered for her fierce and fun-loving spirit, as well as her compassion for the underdog. It is comforting to know she is at peace and will be reunited in Heaven with her cherished daughter Allison. The family is appreciative of all the care provided for Patricia at the Broadway New Vista Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a favorite charity in Patricia’s honor. Due to the current pandemic, a private burial will be held by the Van Tassel Funeral Home in Bloomfield, NJ. Interment will be at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, NJ.