Patricia Ann Goldschmidt

Due to the death of her mother the following day, Pat spent the first year of her life in the care of nuns at Bon Secours hospital. She was adopted on February 25, 1938 into the loving home of Harmon and Elizabeth Gessford in Towson, MD and given the name Patricia Ann.

Pat graduated from Towson High School in 1955. She began office, work eventually serving the White House during the Eisenhower administration. Pat married Wilbur Goldschmidt, the love of her life, on July 14, 1957. A higher calling began as children were born into the Goldschmidt home- Wilbur (Lee), Denise (Dee), Carl, Fred and Lisa. Pat and Wil moved to Sparta in 1961, building a home in Fox Hollow in 1967. They are long-term members of Redeemer Lutheran Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, choir member, Stevens Minister, and Chaplain.

While raising children Pat was also an avid long-distance swimmer, synchronized swimmer and a champion bread maker, winning many prizes including Best of Show at the Sussex County Fair. She was a fabulous cook and used her skills to comfort and bless her family and their friends. As the children left the nest, Pat went back to school to become a nurse, a Certified Hospital Chaplain and a Lutheran Lay Minister. She was a nurse for Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice for 20 years.

Pat was a “people person”. She loved people, and people loved her. Never flashy, always faithful and kind, she had an impact on many people throughout her life.

Pat is survived by Wilbur, her husband of 68 years, her children Lee (Melissa) Goldschmidt; Dee (Rick) Rice; Carl (Stephanie) Goldschmidt; Fred (Carla) Goldschmidt; and Lisa (Vic) Nepa. She has 12 grandchildren: Rebekah, Christiana, Auriel, Alyssa, Adam, Daniel, Olivia, Aimee, Julia, Jessica, Maria, Katrina and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Otts and Pat Casino, Ellen and Ron Phipps, Bob and Eileen Goldschmidt as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Harmon and Elizabeth Gessford; parents-in-law Wilbur F. and Josephine Goldschmidt, and sister-in-law Joan Casino.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 27 from 11am to 12:30pm at Goble Funeral Home, Sparta with a celebration of Pat's life at 12:30. Interment will follow immediately in the Sparta Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Pat’s memory be made to your favorite charity.