Obituary of Mary Patricia Fritzen

Mary Patricia “Pattie” Fritzen, of Bloomfield, NJ, died quietly in her sleep on Sunday, December 5, 2021, after a long illness. Born on Christmas Day, 1958, Pattie spent her entire life in New Jersey. She grew up in Maplewood and lived in Irvington, Short Hills, East Orange, and finally settled in Bloomfield where she resided for 32 years. She attended Maplewood’s St. Joseph’s Grammar School and graduated high school from Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth. She also received high honors when obtaining her medical coding certification. For the last 15 years, Pattie worked for the Florida-based company, eReceivables, as a medical insurance coder, before retiring earlier this year.

One of eight children, Pattie loved backyard bar-b-ques by her pool, trips to the Jersey shore, hosting an annual Super Bowl party, spending time with her family and friends, and her two Shih-Tzus Spencer and Katie.

Pattie is pre-deceased by her parents, Edward and Mary Ann Fritzen. She is survived by her life partner of 34 years, Madeline Smith. She leaves behind her siblings and in-laws: Edward and wife Michele, James, Sister Rita, Robert and wife Christine, Ann Tetar and husband John, Jean, Thomas and wife Colleen; her nieces and nephews Jennifer, Mary Cahill and husband Billy, Robert, Danielle, Patrick, Heather, and Abigail; two great nephews, Colin and PJ, and a great niece, Clara.

The family will be receiving friends on Sunday, December 12, 2021, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 767 Prospect Street, Maplewood and are invited to remain for the funeral Mass that follows. Internment is private. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Christmas Giving Tree at St. Joseph’s Church to help parishioners in need celebrate the holiday.