Patricia A. Pakonis

Patricia A. Pakonis, fondly known as "Pat" or "Patty", passed away on November 27, 2025 at the age of 81.

Born on September 27, 1944 in Jersey City, Patty grew up in New Milford, graduated from Immaculate Conception High School and later earned her nursing degree from the Clara Maass School of Nursing in Belleville.

Pat's caring heart was felt by many during her extensive career as a Registered Nurse. Her favorite stories were from her years as an operating room nurse at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California, where she assisted with procedures for many well-known names in Hollywood. When she returned to New Jersey she took on various roles at Clara Maass Medical Center where she met her husband. Soon after she started a family and later transitioned into school nursing.

Over the course of her 30 years as a school nurse, Pat worked for St. Patrick's School in Chatham, NJ and at the Deron School in Montclair and Union, NJ where she cared for children with special needs.

Patty was always working on creative projects, and it was not unusual for friends and family to receive beautiful handmade gifts. She had a nurturing soul and loved all animals, and she had a special connection to groundhogs. She enjoyed cooking, baking, playing games, and showing off her loyalty to the Yankees.

Pat was predeceased by her husband of 33 years, Vito Francis Pakonis, MD; her parents, Joseph and Madelyn (Zehnbauer) Stross; and her cherished grandson, Liam Pakonis.

Her legacy continues to live on through her beloved family. She is survived by her dear sisters, Virginia Luciano and Catherine Mappin; her children, Gregory Pakonis, MD and his wife, Fiona, MD, Robert Pakonis and his wife, Kristin, Tricia Pakonis, and Kristen Pakonis; and her loving grandchildren, Logan, Caitlin, Connor and Oliver Pakonis.

Visiting will take place on Monday, December 1, 2025 from 9:00 - 10:15 am in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be offered in the St. Raphael Church, 346 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ at 11:00 am. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) or to a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences, share memories and upload photos to her memorial page at www.proutfuneralhome.com.