Obituary of Patricia Grace Mulligan

Patricia (Johnson) Mulligan passed away peacefully at The Oaks in Denville, New Jersey, on March 7, 2026, at the age of 87.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Patricia lived in Queens for many years before moving to Denville, New Jersey, in 1969, where she spent the remainder of her life.

She graduated from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School in 1957 and entered the Maryknoll Sisters shortly thereafter. In 1958, she returned home and moved to Astoria with her mother. In 1960, Patricia met Eugene T. Mulligan at a CYO dance in Bayside, Queens. The two were married in 1962 at Holy Family Church in Flushing, Queens, New York, beginning a devoted partnership centered on faith and family.

Patricia was a devoted homemaker for many years while raising her family. In the late 1970s and 1980s she worked at The Citizen newspaper. In 1983 she joined the Denville Board of Education at Riverview School, and in 1987 became the secretary to the Superintendent at the Mountain Lakes Board of Education, where she served until her retirement in 1999.

A woman of deep faith and community spirit, Patricia was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Denville since 1969. She was active in the Rosary Altar Society and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She also volunteered for many years at St. Clare’s Hospital and St. Clare's Harvest Festival, and was a longtime member of the Denville Senior Citizens.

Patricia was predeceased by her beloved husband of 28 years, Eugene T. Mulligan, who passed away in 1990, as well as her siblings Grace, Carlton, Dorothy, Naomi, Mary, and Margaret. She was also predeceased by her best friend Rita Ferraris.

She is survived by her loving sons, Thomas (Cynthia) Mulligan of Rockaway, NJ; Daniel Mulligan of Denville, NJ; James Mulligan of Rockaway, NJ; and Michael Mulligan of Denville, NJ. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Stephanie, Brian, Kieran, Emelia, and Constance Mulligan, and by her sisters-in-law, Anne Mulligan and Sr. Mary Mulligan, as well as 30 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834. www.normandean.com.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville, NJ, followed by interment at Denville Cemetery.

*If you were unable to attend Mass, you can watch it anytime through St. Mary's YouTube page, or by clicking here*