Obituary of Patricia D. Lapp

Patricia Dawn Lapp passed away with her loving family by her side on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Troy Hills Center in Parsippany. She had shared 91 years of unconditional love, infectious laughter, and priceless remembrances with family and friends. She was a loyal wife, dedicated mother, loving grandmother, devoted sister, and trustworthy friend.

Born in Paterson to the late Arthur and Elizabeth Condon, Patricia, who preferred to go by “Pat,” was one of five children to bless their household. Her father, Arthur, owned and operated Condon’s Coal and Ice Company. The family lived in Paterson and eventually moved to Wyckoff. Pat had happy memories from her childhood of going to the Jersey shore, and funny memories of her brother Art shooting a BB gun at her feet to “make her dance.” Pat graduated from Central High School in Paterson, class of 1949. After graduation, she began a career at Bell Telephone in 1950.

Pat enjoyed skiing in her younger years and was involved in ski clubs along with her future husband, Wilbur “Bill” Lapp. Pat married her soulmate, Bill, on November 4, 1961. She resigned from Bell Telephone in 1962 and started a much more important career later that year; being a mother. Bill and Pat lived in a number of places in New Jersey including Rockaway and Wall Township until they eventually moved to Blairstown in 1975. They raised two loving sons, Britt and Chris. Both boys graduated from high school in Blairstown, and Bill and Pat continued living in their Blairstown home on Gaisler Road long after both boys graduated college and had families of their own. They made many memories and lifelong friends in Blairstown. Bill and Pat enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. Pat especially enjoyed seeing Broadway shows, taking trips to the beach, and attending gatherings with her family in Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes. Patricia started working as a Special Education Teacher’s Assistant for Blairstown Elementary School in the 1980s and remained there until her retirement. She touched the lives and left an imprint on a countless number of students during her time at the Blairstown Elementary School. Pat was also very active in her community, having been a voting pole worker, volunteer at the Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, member of book clubs, and a member in an art group.

Patricia was a talented artist and took up water color painting after her retirement. She painted numerous water colors, exhibiting them in local art shows, selling prints, and giving them away as gifts to dear friends and family. She loved to read and could often be found outdoors. She had a passion for all aspects of gardening. Based on her son’s observations, her main activities seemed to be weeding and moving rocks with her wheel barrel! She also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds on the back deck of the house on Gaisler Road. Pat excelled at clipping coupons from the Sunday papers and finding bargains. And if it was double coupons, forget about it! Like her husband Bill, she loved to cook. Almost every week, she made an amazing fried flounder in her cast iron skillet. Pat also loved to travel, and visited her motherland of Ireland multiple times. She was joined with friends and family on trips that were organized by her sister Susan. Pat loved her family and friends with all of her heart. She was genuine, considerate, selfless, generous, and a loving woman of faith.

Pat was predeceased by her sister Mary Jacobus (Condon) and husband Murph; nephew John Jacobus; sister Joyce DeKoning (Condon) and husband Nick; sister Susan McGahey (Condon); and close friend Janet Murphy. She leaves joyful memories to her two adored sons, Britt Lapp and wife Anna, and Chris Lapp and wife Kelly; her seven cherished grandchildren, Sarah Eckett (Lapp) and husband Harold, Danny, Derek, Elizabeth, Julianna, Oliver, and Charlotte Lapp; her caring brother, Arthur Condon and wife Betty; her close friend Elaine Dublin; her niece Sandy Jacobus and husband Jim Langendoen; her niece Janice Gerisch (DeKoning) and husband Glenn and children Madison and Dylan; her niece Trish Draughn (DeKoning) and husband Lewis and children Christopher and Alyssa; her nephew David DeKoning and wife Jannine and son Nicholas; her niece Denise Droege (Condon) and children Dylan and Derek; her nephew Arthur Logan-Condon and wife Linda; many dear friends and neighbors in Blairstown; the caring staff members at Mount Arlington Senior Living and Troy Hills Center; and many more extended family and friends. Although we are deeply saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is now reunited with her beloved husband, Bill; her parents Arthur and Elizabeth; and her sisters Mary, Joyce, and Susan.

A Memorial Service will be held at Norman Dean Funeral Home on May 20, 2023, from 3:00pm – 6:00pm, with Funeral Service beginning at 5:30pm. Memorial Donations are being accepted to The Alzheimer's Association by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Patricia here to continue to celebrate her life and let her light shine.