Obituary of Patricia T. Muenzen

Patricia Teresa Muenzen (nee McCarthy) passed peacefully from this world at 3:05 p.m. on December 29, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Hampton, NJ. Born in 1925 in New York City to Callaghan and MaryAnn McCarthy, she attended St. Catharine's School and later graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fordham University with a PhD in Biochemistry in 1951. She held a prestigious scholarship for the entire years of studies and research. While raising her nine children in Rahway, NJ, she was a beloved chemistry teacher at Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, NJ for 21 years. Her chemistry students won many personal achievement awards, and her Chemistry League teams won local academic competitions. She inspired many women to enter the field of the sciences. Patricia is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Joseph Bernard Muenzen, her children Joseph (Providence, RI), Mary and Andrew Repetti (Middletown, NJ), Dr. Christopher and Diane (Long Valley, NJ), Patrick (NYC), Barbara (Stamford, CT), Colette (Ridgefield, CT), Paul (Munich, Germany), Peter (Washington, DC), Gregory and Leslie (NYC) and her 10 admiring grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Margaret McGuire, of Marlborough, MA, and sister-in-law Jean Seidel (Scituate,MA). Patricia was predeceased by her parents, Callaghan and MaryAnn McCarthy; her brothers, Callaghan and Hugh; and sister, Colette. Patricia was known as a deeply humble leader and revered mentor for generations of women during her long stint as a chemistry teacher at Mother Seton. She was an inspiring example to her students, since she completed her PhD work at a time when women were seldom seen in the hard sciences, much less earning a doctorate in a revered Catholic university located in New York City. Countless students and colleagues and teachers benefited from her sage wisdom and strong encouragement to pursue their own further studies and research, always with an eye to helping the world through their perseverance in faith. The memories of her three trips to her deeply beloved Ireland were always on her lips, and her devotion to the teachings of the Church was unshakeable. Patricia's Life Celebration will include visitation on Friday, January 3rd from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton, NJ. There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, January 4th at 10:00 am at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, 30 Main Street, Hampton, NJ. Interment will follow immediately, beside the church in the St. Ann's Cemetery. For online condolences or for more information, please visit www.martinfh.com In lieu of flowers, the family wishes to honor this Teacher's life by encouraging a donation to Mother Seton Regional High School, at graciousgiving@motherseton.org.