Obituary for Patricia A Ierley
Patricia Ann (Moy) Ierley Born Shanghai, China August 4, 1937 - Plainsboro NJ April 5, 2022
On April 5, 2022 Patricia, beloved mother to son William and daughters Susan and Nancy passed away at the age of 84.
Patricia was born in Shanghai, China. Her parents, Chinese American citizens, had been visiting China for an extended stay when they became pregnant with Patricia. Shortly after her birth on August 4, 1937 American citizens had been advised to leave the country and return to America because of the Japanese invasion. Traveling in steerage class, the family returned to the US on an American steamship.
She was raised in New York City above her grandparent’s Chinese restaurant until the family moved to the suburbs in Bloomfield NJ. Prior to her freshman year in high school, the family moved to Pompton Lakes where she actively participated in Pioneer Club, Girls Sports Club and the Honor Society.
Patricia received a full scholarship to attend Wesleyan College in Macon Georgia. Patricia was very outgoing and active, participating in many clubs and sports. She was chosen as a Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. This honor is the highest that can be given to students in any college in the United States. Patricia graduated magna cum laude with a double major in Mathematics and Psychology.
Way ahead of her time, she was employed as a computer programmer at ITT where she met her husband and started a family. Patricia became a homemaker raising her three young children. At the age of 40 she lost her husband to a sudden heart attack and a year later she discovered she had breast cancer. Having overcome the disease, she immersed herself in raising her children and pursuing her passion for tennis leading many teams and winning numerous trophies. When the children began college, Patricia returned to computer programming, retiring in 2004. Upon retirement, she sold the family home in Cedar Grove moving to Cranbury NJ in order to be closer to her children and grandchildren. There she became active in her community and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. She loved bringing them to Six Flags Great Adventure every summer since she loved roller coasters as a young girl.
Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016. She moved in with her daughter Susan and her family to provide her care as the disease progressed. Patricia peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family.
Patricia was predeceased by her husband William and parents William and May Moy. She leaves behind her children, William (Anamarie) Ierley, Susan (Gregory) Kocher and Nancy (Mario) Taddeo, her ten grandchildren, Felisha, Jenna, William IV, Brandon, Alec, Jade, Aidan, Nicholas, Krista and Mario Jr; her brother Christopher (Sue) Moy, brother- and sister-in-law David and Peggy Ierley, nieces Sara, Nadine and nephew Marc.
In lieu of funeral services, and to honor Patricia, we ask that all who wish to participate make a donation to alz.org.
On April 5, 2022 Patricia, beloved mother to son William and daughters Susan and Nancy passed away at the age of 84.
Patricia was born in Shanghai, China. Her parents, Chinese American citizens, had been visiting China for an extended stay when they became pregnant with Patricia. Shortly after her birth on August 4, 1937 American citizens had been advised to leave the country and return to America because of the Japanese invasion. Traveling in steerage class, the family returned to the US on an American steamship.
She was raised in New York City above her grandparent’s Chinese restaurant until the family moved to the suburbs in Bloomfield NJ. Prior to her freshman year in high school, the family moved to Pompton Lakes where she actively participated in Pioneer Club, Girls Sports Club and the Honor Society.
Patricia received a full scholarship to attend Wesleyan College in Macon Georgia. Patricia was very outgoing and active, participating in many clubs and sports. She was chosen as a Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. This honor is the highest that can be given to students in any college in the United States. Patricia graduated magna cum laude with a double major in Mathematics and Psychology.
Way ahead of her time, she was employed as a computer programmer at ITT where she met her husband and started a family. Patricia became a homemaker raising her three young children. At the age of 40 she lost her husband to a sudden heart attack and a year later she discovered she had breast cancer. Having overcome the disease, she immersed herself in raising her children and pursuing her passion for tennis leading many teams and winning numerous trophies. When the children began college, Patricia returned to computer programming, retiring in 2004. Upon retirement, she sold the family home in Cedar Grove moving to Cranbury NJ in order to be closer to her children and grandchildren. There she became active in her community and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. She loved bringing them to Six Flags Great Adventure every summer since she loved roller coasters as a young girl.
Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016. She moved in with her daughter Susan and her family to provide her care as the disease progressed. Patricia peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family.
Patricia was predeceased by her husband William and parents William and May Moy. She leaves behind her children, William (Anamarie) Ierley, Susan (Gregory) Kocher and Nancy (Mario) Taddeo, her ten grandchildren, Felisha, Jenna, William IV, Brandon, Alec, Jade, Aidan, Nicholas, Krista and Mario Jr; her brother Christopher (Sue) Moy, brother- and sister-in-law David and Peggy Ierley, nieces Sara, Nadine and nephew Marc.
In lieu of funeral services, and to honor Patricia, we ask that all who wish to participate make a donation to alz.org.