Patty Boyd-MacRae

8/5/2009

Patricia (Patty) Boyd-MacRae, age 51, of Wayne, died August 5, 2009 surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends. Patty was a loving wife, stepmother, aunt, grandmother, cousin and kind friend. She was born in Pequannock and lived most of her life in Packanack Lake. Patty was a 1976 graduate of Wayne Valley High School. She continued her education at Katherine Gibbs School of Business. Upon graduation, she had a distinguished 26 year career at AT&T in numerous management positions. Patty met and married the love of her life, Jim MacRae. Their first date was at the French Hill Inn. They married on June 27, 1996 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Paterson and honeymooned on Cape Cod. During their 13 years of marriage, they were truly inseparable. In fact, upon early retirement from AT&T, Patty went on to become the business manager of the family business, MacRae Plumbing & Heating. This allowed them to not only to play together but also work together.

Patty left a distinct impression on those lucky enough to be a part of her life. Her intelligence, humor, incredible strength and kindness were inspirational. Patty was a thoughtful, caring person and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand and a listening ear. Her greatest joy was reaching out to help others, especially in their time of need.

Patty was known as a wiz with numbers and she was especially good at puzzles. Tackling a 2000 piecer was exciting for her. She also enjoyed walking around the neighborhood with black lab and best friend, Indy, stopping along the way to chat with friends and neighbors.

Patty’s love and kindness branched out to so many people in her life including extended family, neighbors, and friends. Surviving are beloved husband, Jim; stepson Jim MacRae Jr, and wife Traci of Fairlawn, NJ; stepdaughter Holly and husband Joseph Juba of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren Brandon and Joseph Juba of Jacksonville, FL and Dylan and Kylie MacRae of Fairlawn, NJ; nephew Tim Boyd, Jr. and finance Nicole Breeman of N. Haledon, NJ; sister-in-law Loretta Leake and nieces Kristy and Kelly of Forked River, NJ; mother-in-law, Norma Garrity of Stuart, FL. Also surviving are Uncle Frank Duffy of Wilton, NY; cousins, Susan and husband Rick Comish of Gansevoort, NY; Michael Duffy and wife Susan McGreevey of Port Jefferson Station, NY; Kathleen Duffy of Garland, TX; Marianne and husband Daniel Crayon of Bayside, Queens, NY; Francis (Buddy) Duffy and wife Celeste of Masapequah, NY.

Patty was predeceased by her parents John D. Boyd (1996) and Josephine (1999) and her two brothers John M. (2005) and Timothy B. Boyd (2009).

Patty will be dearly missed by all.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, August 7, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Vander May Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at the funeral home.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Patty’s memory are asked to consider The Packanack Lake Fire Company #5, Wayne, NJ 07470.