Patricia D. Van Dunk

A visitation for Patricia will be held Monday, February 12, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, New York 10901. A funeral service will occur Monday, February 12, 2024 at 1:00 PM, 177 Route 59, Suffern, New York 10901. A cremation will be private.

Patricia Deborah Van Dunk (nee Wright) was born November 13, 1954, in Franklin, NJ to the late Herford J., Sr. and late Christina Wright. She grew up in Hewitt, NJ where she received her education through the West Milford Township School System and graduated in 1973. She was the eldest of six siblings and she took pride in helping her mother around the home and caring for her younger siblings.

On July 7, 1978, she was united in holy matrimony to Robert A. Van Dunk, Jr. They were blessed with two children, Robert III, and Danielle.

Pat was a cherished member of the Village of Hillburn from the time she moved there in 1978. She was a school bus driver and bus dispatcher for 38 years, driving the children of Hillburn for most of that time. Pat started driving for Ramapo Valley Rapid Transit. She always had a “take no nonsense” approach and did not tolerate any foolishness, which earned the respect of the students she drove. 

While raising her two children, Pat served as Chair of the Recreation Department and helped transition youth programs from the days prior to the building of our modern Youth Center. Patricia recruited volunteers to assist in youth programs development. She served Hillburn youth long after her two children were grown, helping run and chaperone many trips for the village. Pat believed in the motto of “making the place you called home better in which you found it” and by volunteering as the means. Patricia took the same hands-on approach, serving in the other areas of our village. She loved volunteering so much she joined the Hillburn Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary completing her 30th year in 2022.  

Patty was a true matriarch who kept her family together and enjoyed shopping, seeing friends and family, and especially dancing with her grandkids. 

On Monday, February 5, 2024, surrounded by her family our dear mother, nana, mother-in-law, and sister quietly and peacefully departed this earthly home and entered into the presence of the Lord.

Patty was predeceased by her husband Robert A. Van Dunk, Jr., brother Herford J. Jr. (Herbie) and nephew Steven Dawkins, father-in-law Robert A. Van Dunk, Sr., mother-in-law Rosalie Van Dunk, brother-in-law, Perry Van Dunk, and sister-in-law Celeste Van Dunk. 

Patty leaves to cherish her fond memories one son, Robert A. Van Dunk, III and his wife Denise; one daughter, Danielle Landrum and her husband Marcel; five grandchildren, Anthony Brown and his wife Karli, Gianna Landrum, Aneesa Van Dunk and her partner Wade, Ja’rel Barbour, and Carter Landrum; five sisters, Donna Wright, Amy Elam, Carolyn (Sherree) Van Dunk, Christina (Hope) DeFreese and Yvonne (Ronnie) Van Dunk; one brother Clyde Wright; beloved nephews Bryce Dawkins, Keith Dawkins, Kevin Jackson, Brian Wright, and Christopher Wright and a host of cousins and many close friends.

“There is no greater love than that of a mother for her children. Mommy showed us that she not only loved us, but she loved our spouses. She treated us as her four children and wanted nothing more than for us to stick together and take care of each other. We thank Denise and Marcel for their love, assistance and understanding as we all walked through this time together, as a family.” We also thank our children for loving their nana, and making her smile, laugh and keeping her spirits up.”

Danielle and Bobby