Pat was known by various names such as Honey by her husband, Patty, Pat, Mom and Grammy. Pat returned to school after raising her family to pursue her passion for learning and concluded as a graduate with a MA in English Literature and a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda in 2009.
In Pat's life, she was a devoted mother, grandmother and church member. She enjoyed camping, cooking, music and traveling. Her biggest joy was our large boisterous family coming together at holidays. She set the bar early making sure Christmas stockings were taller and more fully stuffed than each child gathered around her abundantly decorated holiday tree. She would find something she liked and buy enough to give each of us the same with variations in color and size which became a teasing conversation as the years passed.
Pat recognized and wanted to help people in need, fostering additional children and teaching Sunday school. She was an active member, with her husband, at the United Presbyterian Church of Flanders. During that time, she was an elder of the church and often played classical guitar during services. Pat was active in church missions holding an affinity for the community in Machakos, Kenya where she visited many times and spent time spreading the word of God and bringing donations of medical and educational supplies.
Pat loved the written word. She studied in depth many topics and wrote quite a few short stories recounting personal experiences. Her favorite author was Toni Morrison. A saying she kept in the kitchen reads:
Only as high as I can reach can I grow,
Only as far as I seek can I go,
Only as deep as I look can I see,
Only as much as I dream can I be. -- Karen Ravn
Pat is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Rudolf Ernst Nordman. She is survived by four children: Bethanne Nordman Schoenlank and husband James; Suzanne Nordman Young and husband James; Rudolf Nordman; and Eberhard Nordman and wife Michelle. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Mathew, Sara, Samantha, Rachael, Reese, Taylor, Derek, extended family and many dear friends. Pat was preceded in death by her grandson, Tyler Young in 2016 and brother, Kenneth John Fiedler in 2017.
A celebration of Pat's life for family and close friends will be scheduled at a later time at the United Presbyterian Church. Pastor Rick will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to fund the Kasasule Health Center in Kenya on behalf of Pat Nordman, a cause that she cared deeply about. Donations should be sent to Presbytery of Newton, 390 NJ-10, Randolph, NJ 07869 with the MEMO line noted for Kasasule in memory of Pat Nordman. General condolences may be sent to the United Presyterian Church at the church's address of 58 Drakesdale Road, Flanders, NJ 07836.