Patricia Santana

Patricia “Pat” (nee Lazzaro) Santana, age 71, of Wayne for thirteen years and previously of Clifton, passed Friday, April 18, 2025.

She was born to Salvatore and Theresa Lazzaro in Passaic and raised in Clifton.  Pat graduated from Clifton High School with the Class of 1972.  

Pat worked as a data processor for entire working career.  First for the ADP Corporation on Market Street in Paterson, then the UPS Corporation in Parsippany, and finally the GAF Corporation first in Wayne and later in Parsippany before retiring in 2018.

Pat met the love of her life, Benjamin “Ben” Santana, at the Dealer’s Inn on Main Avenue in Paterson.  Apparently, Ben’s language was a little salty and Pat called him out for it.  That was their first encounter.  It was soon followed up by a formal date for dinner at the Jade Fountain in Clifton.  They fell in love and decided to spend the rest of their lives together.  Benny and Pat exchanged their wedding promises before God, family and friends on Saturday, September 8, 1979 at St. John Kanty Church on Speer Avenue in Clifton Pat was just out of high school.  Everyone celebrated the marriage at a reception at the Athenia Veteran’s Post at 147 Huron Avenue in Clifton.  Afterwards, the newlyweds set off for their honeymoon to Virginia Beach, Virginia.  After the honeymoon, the first place they called home was a first-floor apartment at 193 Ludington Avenue in Clifton.  From there they moved into a first-floor apartment in a four-family home at 227 Speer Avenue in Clifton that was owned by Pat’s mother.  In 2010 Ben and Pat moved to Wayne.

Pat was truly a one-of-a-kind person, a vibrant spirit with a personality that could light up any room.  Her love for music was evident in her adoration for The Beatles and Phil Collins, and her caring nature made her a beloved friend to many.  A lifelong cat lover, she formed deep bonds with her furry companions, especially Nika and Jordan, though she welcomed numerous feline friends throughout the years.  Pat enjoyed her evenings, engrossed in her favorite TV shows like Survivor, The Andy Griffith Show, 48 Hours, Court TV,  and various programs on the Lifetime Channel.  In the kitchen, she was a culinary wizard, whipped up delicious sausage, lasagna, savory pastas, and delightful baked goods, including her famous Rum Balls and all kinds of Italian specialties. However, despite her love for cooking there was one dish that she could never bring herself to enjoy: spaghetti, which she humorously dismissed as looking too much like worms.  Pat’s unique quirks and boundless affection left a lasting impression on those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Pat was the loving wife of wife of forty-five years to the late Benjamin Santana (d. 2024); she was the loved sister of Vincent Consalvo of Beverly Hills, FL and his late wife Penny (d. 2021); she was also dearly loved by her in-laws, Juana Santana of Clifton, the late Patrick Santana (d. 2005), Monte Santana, Jr. and his wife Barbara of Clifton, and Maria and Hector Lopez of Clifton; she was the cherished aunt of Monte Santana, III and his wife Ashley and Vincent Santana and Nina Ibarria.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne First Aid Squad would be greatly appreciated.