Patricia Gofa Leavy

Patricia "Patti" Gofa Leavy (nee Wessel) left this earth for her next adventure on May 8, 2023. She was the loving daughter of the late Catherine (Murphy) Wessel and Harold J Wessel. She was the devoted wife of Alan Leavy, whom she loved beyond words. Patti was the warm and nurturing mother of her daughter, Michele (Marko) Zabnicki and grandmama of Madison Zabnick; and of her son, Scott Marko, his wife, Tara Marko; and nanny of her grandsons Anthony and Daniel. She was the loving mother and grandmother of Christine Leavy Figlestahler and her husband, Craig and their children: Nicholas, Ryan, Alex, Zach and Catherine Figlestahler; Michele Leavy and her furbabies, Bella and Coco; Angela Leavy and Jeremy Cortese and their son, Carter; and grandmother to Darby Brashier and her fiancé Michael Meredith. Patti was predeceased by her brother, Ronald J Wessel and is survived by her little sis, Linda Wessel and her life partner, Victor Marci. She is predeceased by her former husband, Stanley C. Marko and survived by his wife, Cheryl Dodd Marko. Patti is also survived by her amazing in-laws: brother-in-law Douglas Leavy and his wife Rosemary; sister-in-law Diana Boyle; sister-in-law Mary Ann Calise Wessel and her life partner John Millikin; and sister-in-law Joanne Trikouros and her husband Adam. She was predeceased by her former husband, James Gofa, and survived by her cousins Susan Rector-Collins and David Rector and many more beloved family members and friends, too numerous to mention.

Patti spent her childhood in the Heights of Jersey City where she worked in the Woolworth's store on Central Avenue before settling in Bayonne for the majority of her life. When she was in her early 20's, she won several trophies as a bowler and became a Lean Line counselor which she was very proud of. She was very talented in baking, cooking, sewing and crocheting and used those talents not only to make clothing and Halloween costumes for her children when they were younger, but to help fundraise for the PTA at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. As her children grew older, Patti worked at the corporate office of Kinney Shoes where she met the love of her life, and her family grew even bigger. She eventually retired from Lehman Brothers in 2014 but maintained a relationship with her former boss and his wife whom she spoke very highly of and always appreciated that they never forgot her even after retirement.

Patti and Alan's special song was Islands in the Stream. She lived by the words of her favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, and did it her way. She and Alan packed up and moved to Vegas to enjoy retirement. She loved the thrill of a good bet whether it be a penny slots machine or a football game. She loved the Raiders and was so happy to see a game in person and be able to check that off her bucket list. She made friends with a slot player on YouTube and when he came to visit, she appeared in one of his Youtube videos and was so thrilled about it. Vegas was also where she met her good friends Jeanne and Jim, whom she loved dearly and became like family. Patti lived her retirement to the fullest whether it be riding to the mountains to see the snow, taking in a good concert, enjoying the sites, or exploring the good food.

Patti loved a good sale, Godzilla and B-movies - the worse the movie, the better. She excelled at gardening and took her skills with her to Vegas where she used her green thumb to container garden, even in the 100 degree dry heat of the desert. She was also very drawn to the Egyptian culture and loved Betty Boop.

Patti loved her family fiercely and was always thinking about everyone - whether it be sending articles she thought you would find useful and interesting, celebrating a birthday or achievement, making the holidays, especially Christmas, feel magical, or how she supported you in any endeavor you chose. She was always ready to listen to you whether it be to vent or share, and she had the best advice if you needed it. Patti had a fantastic sense of humor and a playful banter with Alan that was always fun to watch or, if you were lucky, be a part of. No matter how much playful banter they had, though, she loved Alan and appreciated him for everything he did and every sacrifice he made to make sure she was well taken care of at the end.

There are no words to express how sorely she will be missed.