Plan for the Future
~~Patricia L. Root, a long-time resident of Madison, NJ, died Monday April 3 at the age of 85 at the Hospice of Palm Beach County, Inc at Delray Medical Center following a very brief illness.
Born January 31, 1932 in Montclair, NJ, to Warner J. Lumbard and Lucille Priest Lumbard, Patricia grew up on Gregory Avenue in West Orange, NJ. While attending West Orange High School, Patricia was active in Art and music. She played the violin in orchestra and baritone horn in marching band, and performed with the NJ All State Orchestra.
Patricia graduated from Trenton State College with a degree in Music Education in 1953.
While attending Trenton State College, Pat was introduced to her husband, Charles F. Root (a graduate
of Villanova College).They were married on February 19, 1955, and lived briefly in East Orange before moving to Madison in December 1956. Patricia taught elementary school music in Verona, NJ, and later in the Madison School System in the early 1970’s. Pat and Charlie enjoyed traveling. Charlie’s career as the Director of Market Research at a specialty metal company allowed them the opportunity to travel all over the world to attend business meetings. They visited England many times as well as Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Peru, France, Chile and Puerto Rico. After Charlie retired they enjoyed many road trips to Florida and across the country to Arizona, Texas, Branson, California and Maine.
She was a member of the NJ Symphony, and enjoyed playing with a local quartet. Patricia was also a member of the Florhamaires Women’s Chorus in Florham Park NJ., as well as the Brookside Women’s Chorus in Mendham, NJ.
Patricia also sang in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Choir where she and Charlie were active members since 1957. Pat had a very strong faith life and was an active member of many bible study groups such as a ladies interfaith bible study for over 35 years, a couple’s bible study, and the church bible study. Pat was active at Good Shepherd Church, having been a member of the Art Committee, she made many of the church banners. She was a long time member of the Women of the ELCA, and the Worship and Music Committee and Vacation Bible School. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Homeless shelter and Soup Kitchen, and faithful Worship Assistant. She was an avid supporter of Good Shepherd Social Ministry Outreach projects: Seafarers International House, The Interfaith and Florham Park Food Pantry, The Good Shepherd Home for Children in Jersey City, and The Good Shepherd Home for Children in Cameroon, Africa.
Through the years, Patricia has been involved with The Rosedale Village Club, Meals on Wheels, AARP, Suburbanites, The Thursday Morning Club and the Noe Pond Swim Club.
Patricia loved vacationing in the summers with her family at Cape Cod, and listening to and watching Yankee Baseball, the Red Sox and Villanova Men’s Basketball. Patricia had many special friends from childhood friends to her college roommate. Recently, long time church friend, Walter Dammer, has escorted Pat to many concerts, movies and Jets Football games. Walter’s daughters graciously welcomed her into their homes for family cookouts, holidays and events, which she enjoyed.
In addition to her parents, Patricia was predeceased by her sister, Lorraine Lumbard Auerbacher. She will be greatly missed by her children, Roy Root of Madison, New Jersey; James Root and his wife Donna of Hampstead, New Hampshire; Thomas Root and his wife Kathleen of Madison, New Jersey;
Beverly Kruk and her husband David of Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey; grandchildren Joshua, Caitlin and Meghan Root and Ian Kruk; nieces and nephews the late Barry J. Auerbacher and his wife Peggy and their children, Carly, Jesse and Holly; Wendy Auerbacher and her son Dane; and Robin Auerbacher Henner; and Pat’s cousins Faith Priest and Barry Priest.
There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 11am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 160 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, New Jersey. There will be a memorial visitation on Tuesday, from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Chatham, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Patricia may be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.