Carol Ann Panza

Carol Ann Panza (nee Reichenbach), loving wife of William Panza since 1962 joined The Lord in Heaven on February 1, 2023. Carol was a wonderful bright joyful wife and mother, who was deeply loved by all. Carol was the daughter of Carl and Teresa Reichenbach and younger sister of Robert Reichenbach Sr. (deceased). Carol grew up in Middle Village Queens, NY and graduated as a RN nurse from St. Catherine’s School of Nursing in Brooklyn in 1956. She worked in the operating room at Flushing Hospital in Queens and then as an industrial nurse at WR Grace and Company. After marriage in 1962, she moved to Emerson, NJ and became an active parishioner for more than 50 years at Assumption Church. She worked as a pediatric nurse at Valley Hospital and finally as a dialysis nurse at Holy Name Hospital. Carol’s greatest concern was always her family and she emphasized to her three children to love and respect others and to always make an effort to try to understand their points of view. She loved her husband with her whole being and they experienced sixty wonderful years and events together. Carol is survived by her husband Bill and three wonderful children. Her son Dr. William Panza, MD, wife Janice of New Bern NC and their children Carolyn, Michelle, and William. Son Keith, wife Maria of North Caldwell NJ and their children Valerie and Joseph. Daughter Gabrielle and husband Kirk Petrovic of Mahwah NJ and their children Danielle, and identical twins Matthew and Brian. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. An avid reader, who read more than a book a week, instilled in her an imagination and desire to travel both in this country and abroad. Each year she looked forward to driving in their 1966 Thunderbird to a different state and to visit with many friends again and again who belonged to the International Thunderbird Club. She also enjoyed ship cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, and many European countries. She was very patient and extremely creative. She designed her own wedding gown. Her home is filled with many of her counted cross-stitch needlework designs. She was a real people person and enjoyed making friends sharing and experiencing all of life’s beautiful events. She always looked for the good in people and never had the interest in negative thoughts, again always looking for the good in others. Her greatest joy were her children, their spouses and eight grandchildren. She delighted in their successes and always encouraged them to study hard and use their imagination to get the most out of life. Her granddaughter, Danielle, is a RN and often said, “Grandma, I want to be a nurse just like you.” Most of all she encouraged in us all think positive, be honest and truthful and treat others the way you want to be treated. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the John Theuer Hackensack Hospital Cancer Center for their care. Also, the Amedisys Hackensack Hospice Group. The administrative staff, the home health aides, the visiting nurses and especially, Nurse Alison and Chaplain Casandra for her weekly inspirational visits. The hospice care and nurse visits not only gave comfort to Carol but were especially helpful to her husband. It kept his spirits up and gave him the strength to endure in what lied ahead. Special thanks to Cheryl Gabriel, Carol’s home health-aide, who provided exceptional daily care to Carol for more than the last two years. Please in lieu of flowers and to support Carol’s love of reading, a donation in Carol’s name to the Emerson Public Library, 20 Palisades Avenue, Emerson, NJ 07630 would be appreciated. Family and friends are invited to visit Sunday 3-7PM at the Volk Leber Funeral Home, 268 Kindermamack Rd., Oradell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10AM at Assumption RC Church Emerson. All are to meet at church. Entombment to follow at Garden of Memories.