Marie Panza Patel

Marie Panza Patel, 66, passed away suddenly on April 22, 2020, at home. Born August 25, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York she was the loving daughter of the late Margaret and Pasquale Panza and the older sister to her dear brother Anthony Panza. Marie was raised in Brooklyn, NY and attended Catherine McAuley High School. She moved to Staten Island after meeting her husband. Marie was inspired by her husband's love of medicine and her passion for science which led her to go back to school after having both her children and graduate from The College of Staten Island as a Registered Nurse. Marie worked as a Registered Nurse at Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, then at Eger Nursing Home, where she then found friends and actively organized and protested to unionize in order to stand up for herself and her colleagues. After successfully winning their rights she left private industry and became a nurse for the Board of Education. As a school nurse she worked at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn and then Tottenville High School in Staten Island, where she retired from in 2014. Marie is predeceased by her late husband, Dr. Jayantibhai D. Patel since 2012. Marie's mother Margaret lived with her until she passed in 2014 and then her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson lived with her until Marie's passing. Marie loved to laugh, listen and dance to music, read, travel, watch TV shows like Outlander, shopping, dining out, and going to the movies. She was a hippie at heart and a firm believer in peace and love. Marie was an avid fan of The Beatles, especially Paul McCartney, and other ''classic rock'' artists. She loved going to concerts and took her children to many, many shows. She had loved to vacation with both her children and grandchildren. She was known to be outspoken, direct, passionate of what she believed, and always had a good, loving heart. More than anything Marie cherished time spent with family and friends. Devoted wife of the late Dr. Jayantibhai D. Patel. Loving mother of Jason and Neesha. Dear mother-in-law of Samantha Bernal Patel and Nicholas Fontana. Adored sister of Anthony Panza, his wife Lynda, and aunt to John and Robert Panza. Cherished grandmother of Jason Patel II, Andrea Ortiz, and Domenico Fontana. A burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery on May 9, 2020. A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate Marie's life.

Marie Panza Patel

August 25, 1953 - April 22, 2020