Patricia Ann Foley

PATRICIA ANN VERONICA FOLEY, 94, of WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ, passed on peacefully on FEBRUARY 19, 2023. Beloved widow of David William Foley, Jr. Devoted mother of Paul William Foley (Kathy), Patricia Ann McKenna (Peter), Peter James Foley (Karen), Anne Marie Pike (Robert), David Francis Foley (Shari), Jane Marie Falconieri (Joseph), James Joseph Foley (Susan) and Timothy Joseph Foley (Sherry). Preceded in death by her dear sister Frances Lawrence. Loving and beloved grandmother of Beth Pike (Wendy), Heather Calderwood (Tim), Kelly Price (Max), Tim Falconieri (Gabby), Katie Foley, Veronica Hays (Thomas), Peter Foley, Rachel Foley, Ryan Foley, Dana Foley, Nina Foley, Sylvan Foley and Sami Foley and loving great-grandmother to Charlotte, Isla, Calvin, Hazel and Isaac.

Born in Mt. Vernon, New York to Frank D. Kernstock and Anna V. Kernstock (Doehler), she lived in Woodcliff Lake for sixty-two years. Patricia was graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey and served as founding Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the New Community Clarion in Newark, New Jersey for many years. With her husband David, she was an organizer of the Walk for Understanding in the City of Newark following the unrest in 1967 and later worked as a founder of New Community Corporation, which brought affordable housing to under-served areas of Newark. Patricia and David also were early supporters and advocates for the work of Renew International, founded by Monsignor Thomas Kleissler, whose mission is to renew personal faith and parish life—unlocking the power of small groups by equipping laity and clergy to share their Catholic faith and live it every day. Patricia was dedicated to her faith and committed much of life and service to Our Lady Mother of the Church, and before its founding, to Our Lady of Mercy. Patricia served on the search committee to locate and to establish Our Lady Mother of the Church in Woodcliff Lake and served the church as a lector, teacher and member of the choir and liturgy committees, among others. Patricia also worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her 8 children, helping to create the Woodcliff Lake Girls Softball Association and serving as leader for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

The family will receive their relatives and friends on Thursday, February 23, 2023, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, New Jersey. A Mass celebrating Patricia’s life and faith will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Our Lady Mother of the Church, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, New York.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Renew International (www.renewintl.org) or Our Lady Mother of the Church (www.motherofthechurch.org).