Patricia B. (Pyke) Harris

Patricia B. Harris

Beloved Mother, Sister, and Grandmother, 84

Mrs. Patricia (nee Pyke) Harris, 84, of Nutley, NJ, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at her home.  Because of current health advisories, the funeral service will be held privately.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Patricia Harris was born in New York City in 1936 and grew up in an apartment building on West 65th Street where Lincoln Center now stands. She was the oldest of three children of Walter and Eleanor Pyke.  She is predeceased by her younger sister was Ann Bales, and she is survived by her little brother, Tommy Pyke, and his wife, Patty. 

Patricia met and married her sweetheart, Jack Harris, in 1956 and settled in New Jersey.  She is survived by her children, Patti Ann and Jack; by her grandsons Zachary Harris Simko and Jack Harris; and by her daughter-in-law Wendy Harris and son-in-law John Simko.

Pat was a devoted wife and mother and was married to Jack for 55 years until his passing in 2011.  She was a loving aunt to her nieces Deborah, Cheryl, Christine, and Gabriella and her nephews Jimmy, Thomas, Dylan, Tom, and Brian.  She was a wise and nurturing woman who brought love and happiness not only to her family but to everyone she encountered. 

She was undoubtedly the beloved and adored leader of her family.  Her wicked sense of humor was a gift she passed on to us.  She laughed easily, and somehow made the most mundane things seems like fun.  Her love of words and language, her innate wisdom as well as her boundless optimism, made us all so lucky to call her our friend. 

Pat was a natural teacher and spent many years in the classroom teaching elementary school.  Her students adored her and kept in touch long after graduation.  She continued to teach as a Literacy Volunteer of America where she taught English to Spanish-speaking adults.

Pat loved books and was an avid reader of history and biographies.  She freelanced as a copyeditor for book publishers and loved being a part of the creative process.

She loved music, theater, and classic films and was constantly learning and exploring new things each and every day. She continues to be an inspiration to all of us who were lucky enough to know her and call her friend.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

—Aesop

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