Patricia C. Stailey

Patricia C. Stailey (nee Carroll) of Glassboro, NJ, formerly Philadelphia, PA, passed away on September 14th, 2024, at the age of 88, surrounded by her family.
Born to the late Charles and Anna May (nee Delaney) Carroll on August 15, 1936, in Philadelphia, PA. Patricia is the beloved sister of the late George (Pat) Gardner, the late John (Barbara) Gardner, the late Charles (Pat) Carroll, the late Sally Carroll, Katherine (Brian) Browne, and Richard (Roe) Carroll. Married to the late Robert Stailey (1998). When Patricia was two years old, her mother passed away. During this time, Charles and Anna May's families helped raise Patricia. She was loved deeply by her Uncle George and Aunt Margaret Gardner, who eventually took her in and raised her as their own. She was blessed to be involved with her Father's family. She created special bonds with the younger Carroll aunts as they listened to records and played jokes. She loved spending time with her paternal Grandmother and their Sunday brunches. Her father eventually remarried to the late Marge, who loved Patricia as her own.
From an early age, Patricia had instilled in her the love and devotion to God. The family lived in Oxford Circle and were parishioners at St. Martin's Parish. Patricia held dearly to her day of birth, as it marked the holy day of The Assumption of The Virgin Mary. She took this as a sign that the Blessed Mother would be her guide. As a teenager, Patricia attended Eden Hall High School in Torresdale, graduated in class of 1954, then went on to attend St. Mary's Nursing in Fishtown, class of 1957. She developed life long friendships at nursing school and while working at St. Mary's Hospital. She traveled on the Queen Elizabeth II for a memorable trip to Europe, and she would often share stories with her children.
In November of 1964, Patricia had the lucky encounter of being on the same elevator as Robert Stailey. For Robert and Patricia, it was love at first sight. The pair began dating almost immediately, with an engagement on New Year's Eve, and then married on April 24th, 1965. Patricia was drawn to Robert's charm, kindness, and devotion to God. Robert and Patricia's devotion to God united them as they attended mass daily at St. Jerome's Parish from 1966 to 1971, when they lived on Solly Ave in Philadelphia, PA. Pat and Bob loved to go out for dinner, dance, celebrate New Year's eve with family and friends, and share their enthusiasm for the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies. Pat and Bob had so much love to give they decided to share it by welcoming into the world their beloved children Robert (Beth) Stailey, Margaret (Robert) Stailey-Engelke, and Mary Kay (Michael) Stailey-Sims. After a brief stay in Colorado, the family returned to Philadelphia in 1972 to Chalfont Drive and became members of Our Lady of Calvary parish. While the kids were in grade school, Patricia took every chance she could to immerse herself into their lives. She volunteered at their school events, attended their sporting events, and attended Sunday Mass together. She loved to celebrate holidays and her Irish heritage. When it became time for her children to go to high school, Patricia restarted her nursing career by working at Nazareth Hospital to pay for their education. It was important to Patricia that her children receive a Catholic education. She loved being a nurse and even after retirement, she would volunteer as a parish nurse. As a family, they took summer vacations in Ocean City, where Patricia would find solace reading a book with the sound of the waves surrounding her and having cocktail hour after returning from the beach.
As her children became older, they gave her the greatest gift of all, becoming the grandmother of Devon, Nicholas, Sean, Robert, Joseph, Michael, Theodore, Katherine, Meredith(Thomas), Robert Sean (Melonie), and Reese. She is the beloved great-grandmother of Tommy and Riley, with a third on the way. Patricia loved being their grand and great-grandmother. She loved telling stories about them and how proud she was to be their Grandmom. Patricia's engaging and charismatic personality allowed her to make friends wherever she went. Known for her daily walks, she would often be found in deep conversations with fellow neighbors, the mail carriers, or employees at the local Shoprite. She was known to give her kind words and advice on a situation, offering a light of guidance that they may have needed. She would also inform people that they were on her list of people she prayed for daily. Likewise, she had an unwavering devotion to St. Pachomius, a Desert Father of the early Church, who could get anyone a parking spot with a quick prayer to him. Her sense of service was unwavering as she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Calvary Church, and she restored the Rosary prayer on Mondays at St. Bridgette's University Church in Glassboro, NJ. Patricia was an avid reader, watched Jeopardy every night, loved to play Pinochle, would travel any chance she could get, enjoyed the occasional bourbon Manhattan or White Zinfandel and her time at her Ocean City Condo.
Patricia will be remembered fondly for the life she lived, which was filled with love, laughter, and abiding faith in God, family, and the Church.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Patricia's name to the The Salvation Army, Covenant House, and the United Service Organization.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Patricia's visitation on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, from 6 pm - 8 pm at McGuinness Funeral Home, 573 Egg Harbor Rd, Sewell, NJ, 08080. Words of Remembrance will take place at 7:30 pm. On Friday, September 20th, 2024, a funeral mass of Catholic Faith will take place in Patricia's name at St. Bridgette's University Church at 10 am in Glassboro, NJ. Burial will take place immediately following mass at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Langhorne, PA.