Obituary of Patricia Farrelly Richards

Patricia Farrelly Richards of Bedminster, NJ, died peacefully at home after a courageous journey with cancer on May 18, 2015. She was 84. The third of seven children of the late Richard Lloyd Farrelly and Mary Catharine Ritchie Farrelly, she was born January 4, 1931 in New York, NY. Patsy graduated from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in 1948 and attended Manhattanville College for two years. In her early 20s, she worked for the World Affairs Council in California and then moved to New York City where she worked for the Bermuda Trade Development Board. For almost 50 years, Patsy was an active member of the Garden Club of Somerset Hills. She also enjoyed volunteering with numerous local organizations including the Matheny School, Far Hills Country Day School, Camp Brett-Endeavor, United Way, Plaid House and the Leonard J. Buck Gardens. Patsy enjoyed playing tennis and going for country walks. She held a membership at the Somerset Lake & Game Club for over 45 years. Throughout her life, Patsy was guided by her deep and steadfast faith. She held a keen interest in Maryknoll, the foreign lay mission ministry of the Catholic Church, and volunteered as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Patsy adored and was devoted to her family and friends. She quietly and humbly supported and connected with many in her extended circle. Her husband of 54 years, George James Richards, as well as her sisters, Anne Locher and Margaret Gottscho and brother, Richard Farrelly, Jr., predeceased Patsy. She is survived by her two daughters and their families: Robert and Catherine Richards Olney, Aidan and Elspeth of Freeport, ME, and Johann and Sarah Richards Thalheim, George, Philip, Hans Christian and Ingrid of Old Greenwich, CT; her sister Lisa O’Brien of Waite Hill, OH and Vero Beach, FL, her brother Louis Farrelly of Mendham, NJ and sister Mimi Farrelly-Hansen of Longmont, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. There will be a Memorial Mass held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at St. Brigid Church, Peapack, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse of Somerset Hills (200 Mt. Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ 07869) or Fellowship Helping Hands (8000 Fellowship Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920).