Patricia Ellen Harrington (nee Stack), age 70, of Oak Ridge passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in the presence of and while receiving the loving care of her family.

Patricia lived in Flushing, Huntington Station, NY, Packanack Lake in Wayne, and Kinnelon before moving to Oak Ridge.

Patricia was born in Queens, NY to James and Lucille Stack. She was one of four children and grew up with her family in Long Island. During her childhood and as a young lady, Patricia was a member and very active at St John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington Station, NY as was her mother. Patricia graduated from Walt Whitman High School in Huntington Station, NY with the class of 1965. After graduating high school, Patricia enrolled in Lasell College in Newton, MA where she studied Fine Arts and Fashion. She was only in college for about a year when she felt terribly homesick and returned to family in New York. Patricia then went to work for Meyer Bros in Wayne for a short time selling perfume.  She was then offered a position at the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) in Morris Plains where she as a Secretary for about two years. Subsequent to her employment at ARC she earned a position at Berlex HealthCare Pharmaceuticals in Wayne where she worked as an Executive Secretary. She held this position as the company moved to Montville and then eventually integrated into Bayer HealthCare. Patricia worked for over ten years there until her health forced her into an early retirement in 2000.

In 1982, Patricia’s friend Elaine Grundy, introduced her to a gentleman named Lee Harrington. Elaine was working for Lee as a secretary for several years and set the two of them up on a date. Lee and Patricia dated for about two years and as fate would have it they fell in love and were married on January 20, 1984.  They were married in Patricia’s mother’s home in New York by Reverend Al Smith.  They honeymooned in New York at the Mohonk Mountain House.  Patricia and Lee first settled in Kinnelon and eventually moved to Oak Ridge fifteen years ago.  Patricia and Lee cherished more than thirty-four years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Patricia was an outstanding cook, and having a Greek background, she was quite often prepared the most delicious Greek recipes, particularly her Greek Meatballs.  She was also known to have made an exceptional Carrot Cake as well.  Also having a background of arts and fashion, Patricia was quite talented in crafts.  Patricia was also an avid dog lover.  At a young age, and also as an adult when she had children, she would bring home stray dogs and adopt them.  Many dogs were adopted into Patricia’s family over the years.  Patricia always seemed to be happy and energetic and made friends wherever she went. She was the kind of person you would like and enjoyed being around even if you had just met her.  Patricia also suffered from gradual hearing loss throughout most of her life, eventually becoming almost completely deaf in one ear.  But this never stopped Patricia from befriending and socializing with people.  Patricia was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by all who knew her.  Patricia’s family would like to recognize and thank Valley Hospice for their kind and professional care.

Patricia is survived by her husband Lee Harrington of Oak Ridge, two sons; James Lantier of Quakertown, PA, and Todd Lantier and his wife Sheila of Atlanta, GA, one step-son Tyler Harrington and his wife Arlene of West Milford, one step-daughter Sage Grant and her husband David of Wayne, two brothers; Michael Stack and his wife Wendy of Austin, TX, and George Stack and his wife Connie of Long Island, NY, one sister Peg Rowe of Sayville, NY, her mother Lucille Stack of Sayville, NY, and six grandchildren; Kyle, Evan, Drew, Davis, Katie, and Chase.  She was predeceased by her father James Stack.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Patricia’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s New Jersey 425 Eagle Rock Ave, Suite 203 Roseland, NJ 07068.