Obituary of Patricia Ranft

Patricia M. Ranft, Devoted Wife, Loving Mother and Adored Meme

And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand….

Patti Ranft (nee Ryan) passed peacefully at home on Friday, May 17^th surrounded by her loving family. She shared 77 years of love and proud Irish heritage with all who knew her.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 10:00 am St. Mary’s Church, Denville.  All are welcome to attend wearing Irish attire or colorful clothing.  Although flowers are lovely, they weren’t Patti’s thing.  Please, no flowers.  Those who wish may make a donation in her memory to the Joey Bella Memorial Fund, The Denville Food Pantry or to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, Team Kelley:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=2373767&pg=team&fr_id=92384&s_locale=en_US&et=tnpLNh8YTUyluKzruKK_pQ&s_tafId=2196296. 

Patti was born in 1942 to the late Thomas and Phyllis Ryan.  She was one of ten children to bless her large Irish family.  She worked in the Denville Grand Union as a teenager and met Robert Ranft one weekend.  She was seventeen and the two fell in love instantly.  Three months later they married on a beautiful day in November of 1959.   Mr. & Mrs. Ranft made their home in Denville where they lovingly raised five children.  She was the proud and devoted co-owner of Ranft’s Denville Vacuum & Appliance.  Along with Robert, they have run this successful business for nearly 40 years.

Patti was generous and charitable and donated much of her time to different activities and organizations.  She was a Board Member of the Denville Chamber of Commerce and Denville Little League as well as a player agent for over 10 years. She was a member of the women’s auxiliary baseball and served on the board. She volunteered for many groups in town over the years, including the Harvest Festival, Joey Bella Memorial Fund, 4^th of July fundraising efforts, and the Denville Holiday Parade.  She was also a den mother for the Denville Cub Scouts.

 She loved animals and spoiled hers, and everyone else’s, rotten! She loved being Irish and made sure everyone knew it.  Above everything Patti loved her family.  She was the heart of the Ranft Clan and proud of it. She was a doting Meme to eight grandchildren and a Great Meme to three little ones.  Although we are saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is at peace and had her final wish, a generous one, granted. It was Patti’s wish to donate her body to science.  Through the help of her family and Robert Wood Johnson Anatomical Association, Patti is continuing her legacy of giving back to others.

She leaves beautiful memories to her husband Robert of 59 1/2 years; her children Robert III. (Lisa), Deborah Kenny (William), Melinda Bramhall (John), Richard (Jennifer); her grandchildren Robert IV, Marissa and Alec Ranft, Daniel (Galina Peck), Michelle, Brian (Cassidy) Lattari, Kevin Thomas, and William Kenny III;  her great grandchildren Braden,   Mason and Konstantin Lattari; her sisters Dorothy and Theresa Ryan and Julie Case; brothers Timmy and Dan (Kolleen) Ryan; and many more dear relatives, friends, neighbors and loyal customers. Her daughter Theresa Ranft- Lattari; and her siblings Phyllis, Alice, Thomas and Bill passed previously. She also leaves her loyal dog Belle and her much loved Grand Pets Fitz, Mia, Penny, Lucy, Lexi, Maize, Scout and Maddie.