Patricia Anne Aldrich passed away on January 20, 2022 at Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey. There will be no services or funeral at this time per her wishes. There will be a memorial service to be scheduled this spring, 2022 in her hometown of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, where her ashes will be scattered on a local mountain.
Pat was born on October 31, 1936 as the only child of Charles and Loretta Gernerd of Lehighton. "Patsy" Gernerd was smart, fun and social. After graduation from Lehighton High School (where her father was her English teacher and the football coach), she obtained her R.N. from Women's Medical College in Philadelphia. During her first marriage and while working at Women's Medical, Pat had her first child, Ann Dougherty.
After moving to Toms River, Pat married Clarence E. (Bud) Aldrich III and had her second child Clarence E. Aldrich IV (Chris). For 25 years, she worked full-time on the 11-7 shift at Community Medical Center as an RN in the Emergency Room while being a full-time "Mom" to Ann and Chris.
Together with the children, Bud and Pat entertained extensively at home, skied at a family vacation spot in Aspen, Colorado and fished and enjoyed nature in Lake Carmi, Vermont. Throughout her life, Pat was an avid football fan with season tickets to the Philadelphia Eagles, and a home decorated in Eagles green and memorabilia.
After her retirement, Pat became an active conservationist in Toms River and Ocean County, New Jersey and campaigned to preserve local wetlands and clean water. She worked with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to heal wild animals and prepare them for a return to their natural habitats. She became active in politics with her husband Bud during the many years he served as a Dover Township (now Toms River) Committeeman and Mayor.
Pat became the full-time and much beloved caretaker of her four grandchildren (who dubbed “Gigi”), and attended all of their athletics practices and other activities.
Patsy, Pat, Mom, and Gigi Aldrich is survived by her children Ann Dougherty and Chris Aldrich; her stepdaughters Dawn Arkell and Amanda DeMers; her grandchildren Charles Lubic, Alice Lubic, Christopher Aldrich and James Aldrich; her former daughter-in-law Colleen Aldrich; and her son in law Douglas Lubic, all of whom will always remember her with much love and thankfulness.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s memory may be made to Save Barnegat Bay (formerly the Isaak Walton League) at https://www.savebarnegatbay.org/donate/tribute-memorial-gifts or Donovan Catholic Football at https://donovancatholic.org/giving.
Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home in Toms River, NJ is in charge of arrangements.
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