Patricia Alessandrini

Patricia Alessandrini passed away peacefully at her home in Teaneck, NJ on July 11, 2024. Patricia was born on May 7, 1939 and recently celebrated her 85th birthday. She was an accomplished, passionate, politically-engaged, and beloved woman. The daughter of the late Henry and Mary Wirth, Patricia was born and raised in Newark. After training as a nurse and starting her career at Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, NJ, she decided to go back to school to pursue her interest in teaching. She received her BA in History from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she also pursued graduate work in history and political science. During her studies, she met her husband, the late Antonio Pietro (Anthony Peter) Alessandrini, and became the mother of two children, Anthony Charles Alessandrini and Patricia Mary Alessandrini, about whom she would brag at any opportunity. She worked as a substitute teacher for many years, first in Wallington and later in Teaneck, and many generations of students came to know “Ms. A.” as a motivating and gentle teacher. Later in her life, she spent many years with her beloved companion, the late Irwin Nack, pursuing two of her great passions: learning about other cultures and working for social justice. She and Irwin traveled throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and Patricia always returned with stories to tell, about people they met, music they heard, works of art, and the wonderful foods she so enjoyed (Patricia was a pescatarian who used to tell people: “I eat everything, except meat”). An incredibly active member of the Bergen County Green Party, she was a tireless organizer and ran as a Green Party candidate for Congress in 2012 – when she won more than 6,000 votes – and for Lt. Governor in 2013. She described herself as a “political junkie” and was active as an organizer and protester for causes ranging from anti-racism, to the anti-war movement, to Palestine solidarity. She and Irwin were familiar figures at events sponsored by New Jersey Peace Action and at protests, both locally and throughout the world, and in her later years, she would complain about not being able to go out and protest as much as she used to. She never stopped believing that a better world was possible, and did everything she could within her lifetime to make it so. In addition to her two children, Anthony and Patricia, and her daughter- and son-in-law, Tess Aldrich and Hans Kretz, whom Patricia thought of as her children, Patricia Alessandrini is survived by her beloved granddaughter Mina Alessandrini, who adored her Nana; her dear sister Marie Masterson, with whom she remained close all her life, along with Marie’s daughter Patricia Torsiello, her husband Anthony Torsiello, and Patricia’s grandniece Gianna Torsiello; her sister-in-law Lee Wirth and her nephews Michael, John, and Mark Wirth and their families; and her niece Susan Lanzarone and her nephew Charles Alessandrini, the children of her husband’s brother, the late Charles “Chuck” Alessandrini. She was predeceased by her brother John Wirth, who she loved dearly and missed fiercely, and by many friends and family whom she cherished. Patricia leaves behind many friends and family who will never forget her laughter, her energy, her spirit, and her love. Patricia was a devout Catholic whose faith brought her great comfort. Her memorial service will be held at her parish church, Saint Anastasia Church at 1095 Teaneck Road in Teaneck on Friday, July 19 at 10am, followed by a burial ceremony at Saint Nicholas Cemetery at 2 Terrace Avenue in Lodi at 11:30am. Family and friends are then invited to join together to share a meal, as Patricia would have wanted us to do.. In lieu of flowers, Patricia’s family invites mourners to consider making a donation to New Jersey Peace Action, to Jewish Voice for Peace, and/or to the Humane Society. For more information or to visit Patricia’s tribute page, please visit www.volkleber.com

Patricia Alessandrini

May 7, 1939 - July 11, 2024