Patricia Anne Ullmann Harmon

Patricia Anne Ullmann Harmon

AGE: 66 •

Patricia Anne Harmon passed away peacefully on July 26, 2012 at the age of 66 due to complications from diabetes, surrounded by loved ones. Patty was born on November 18, 1945 in Teaneck, New Jersey, the oldest of six children, to her parents, Joseph and Helen Ullmann and was raised nearby in Bergenfield, NJ. Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the age of ten, Patty faced many challenges as she grew up, but never let any of them stop her from enjoying life. In 1963, she graduated from the Academy of Holy Angels followed by an English degree from the University of Notre Dame in Baltimore. Newly blinded from Type I diabetes in her mid-twenties, she attended University of Northern Colorado to obtain her masters in special education. After finding an opportunity to teach in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Patty packed her bags and set out to become a teacher of Language Arts and Braille at New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, where she retained her position for thirty years until she retired. In 1973, she married Jack Harmon, another teacher at the school. On April 1, 1977, Patty gave birth to her only child, Jennifer Dawn Harmon. Child raising was challenging but extremely rewarding and the beautiful mother-daughter relationship that blossomed was admired by many. In 1991, at a convention in New Orleans, the National Federation of the Blind named her Blind Educator of the Year. Following her divorce in 2000 and the passing of her mother in 2006, Patty returned to New Jersey, becoming closer than ever with her daughter Jennifer, who now lives in New York City. The two enjoyed shopping, visiting the beach, dining out at restaurants and giving presentations together. Patty was involved in several local associations, including PEO, Lions Club and NFB. New Mexico remained deep inside her. She adored desert life and red chile enchiladas with a sunny side up egg on top from Margo's. On the East Coast, she adored boardwalk french fries, fried shrimp and broiled scallops near the ocean, her absolute love. Patty will be remembered for her independence, her gift of writing poetry, her fashion style, her sense of humor, and her love of shopping on QVC. She was an inspiration to anyone who encountered her and will be missed by many.

Patty is survived by her daughter, Jennifer, sisters Maureen, Kathy, and Kris; two brothers, Michael, Joe and his wife, Ann; nieces Laura, Elizabeth, Jacqueline, Melissa and Jessica; nephews, Steven, Matthew, Gavin, and Joey; great niece, Mila; and great nephews, Jacob and Brayden.

A celebration of Patty's life will be held on August 11 at Pinelands Reformed Church, 898 Rt 37, at 11:00 am. Donations in her memory may be made to the Toms River Lions Club, P.O Box 1390, Toms River, NJ 08754 or to the American Diabetes Association (http://diabetes.org).