Patricia Ann (Hurley) Zeller

Patricia Ann Zeller

Beloved Mother and Grandmother, 91   

On December 20, 2021, Patricia Ann Zeller (nee Hurley) passed away peacefully, holding the hand of her beloved daughter Tricia. She was 91 years old. Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue on Monday, December 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Tuesday, December 28 at 9:15 a.m.  There will be a funeral mass celebrated at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 120 Prospect Street, Nutley at 10:30 a.m.  The interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington.   

Born in Jersey City on November 14, 1930 to Mary and Edward Hurley, Pat lived most of her life close to her birthplace before venturing out to the suburbs in 2006, when she finally got her house with a white picket fence in Nutley.  A devoted wife and mother of six and loyal friend to many, she was always there to provide love, support and a sympathetic ear.  She was a devout Catholic who quickly learned how to Zoom so she could still attend mass during the pandemic.

After graduating from Holy Family Academy in 1948, Pat went on to major in English Literature at Fordham University, receiving her B.A. in 1952.  She started her career as a teacher and then made a change to business.  She joined the Federal Reserve in 1954, working with the likes of Madeline McWhinney, the Fed’s first female officer, and Paul Volcker, who later became Chairman.

After marrying Joe in 1957, she took years off to raise and care for her six children.  Once her children were all in school, Pat returned to the workforce as an Executive Assistant.  She worked for several brokerage houses during her 40-year career, including Loeb Rhoades, Bear Stearns and finally Park Avenue Consulting in New York City, until retiring at the age of 82.

Pat loved nothing more than spending time with her children, grandchildren and her lifelong friends from the St. Vincent’s Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.  She loved watching sports, reading the newspaper, solving crossword puzzles, and watching Jeopardy and re-runs of Murder She Wrote.  She also loved the beach and found great solace watching the ocean waves on Long Beach Island.  She will be missed at every sunset, over the bay or otherwise.

She is survived by loving children Robert Zeller and his wife Liz, Mary Kunka and her husband Matt, Tricia Politi, and Paul Zeller; her loving daughter-in-law Daysi Zeller; and her cherished grandchildren Christopher and Ali Zeller, John and Melany Zeller, Caroline and Katie Kunka, and Emma and Eric Politi.

Pat was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Joseph, her sons John and Thomas, and her son-in-law Mike Politi. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society’s Night of Wine and Roses with checks sent in care of:  Dr. Michael Nissenblatt, Astera Oncology, Brier Hill Court Building J2, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.

Dr. Nissenblatt provided Pat with expert and compassionate care, extending her life more than once, for which her family will always be grateful.

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