Obituary of Patricia DeStefano

Patricia Sandra DeStefano, a loving wife, mother, Mimi and friend, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on December 25, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 80. Pat was born in Paterson to Anthony and Marie Spano (deceased). There she met the love of her life, Bob (deceased), and moved to Toms River, NJ to start their family. Pat was an amazing wife and mother who stayed home to start to raise her children and then later went out in the workforce to help provide for her family and to make new friends and memories. Pat worked at East Dover Elementary School as a Cafeteria Aide for many years, where she was affectionately known as Ms. Pat. To this day, her former students still recognized her and went out of their way to say Hi and say how much she meant to them. Pat held a few other jobs until she found her job at the Medical Examiners Office, where she worked until the age of 79, when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While at the Medical Examiners Office, she met and made many great friends who were dear to her. As well as working, Pat helped her husband Bob coach their daughter Meghan’s soccer team, where she again made many friends. Pat’s favorite thing in life though, were her two grandsons. She was the happiest when she was spending time with Dom Rocco and Matthew. They always brought a smile to her face and could always make her feel better, even in the roughest of times. She would do everything for them and enjoyed playing Legos and Match Box cars on the floor with them. Pat also enjoyed her trips and dinners with her Pocket Book girls. They would go out for day trips, lunches and dinners. When they were together, it was always guaranteed to be a great time. She will be greatly missed. Her smile was infectious and always made us feel better. Pat is survived by her son Bob and wife Kelly, daughter Meghan and husband Dominick, her grandsons Dominick Rocco and Matthew, her brother Anthony and wife Tina Spano, her sister Charlene Kwiatkowski and her nephew Jason Spano and niece Kaitlyn Kwiatkowski. Visitation hours will take place on Monday, December 30, 2024 from 4 - 7 pm at Kedz Funeral Home, 1123 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph's Church, 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River. Interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mom’s name to the Lustgarten Foundation: Pancreatic Cancer Research. www.lustgarten.org