Patricia Gardella, age 82, of Vineland passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on July 31, 2023.

Pat was born March 6, 1941 in Vineland, and was a life-long resident of Buena Borough, Atlantic County. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1958.  As a young girl she worked as a cashier at Guarancini Family Market in Bridgeton, NJ. After high school, she worked as a key punch operator for Prudential Insurance and put herself through college, first at Atlantic Community College then onto Trenton State College. She was extremely proud of her 28 years of teaching Business courses at Vineland Senior High School. She always went above and beyond to bring out the best in her students. Nothing gave her more joy than helping her students succeed. During her teaching career she secured grants for her classes for word processors and computers and was the 1991 Governor's Teacher of the Year for the district.

Pat always enjoyed going to see plays with her friends and Sunday dinners with her family.  She was an avid supporter of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and regularly donated to their food pantry.

Pat was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Theresa (Cheli) Gardella. She is survived by her sister, Janice (Gardella) DeRosa and brother-in-law, Ernie W. DeRosa, niece, Gina Sharpley (Jerry, dec.), nephews, Jeff Riggione (Nicole) and Ernie D. DeRosa, two great-nephews, Sean and A.J. Riggione as well as many cousins and friends.  The family is very grateful for the years of wonderful care given to Pat by her Bayada Home Health team of core nurses.

A viewing will be held at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Michael's Church, Minotola, on Friday, August 4th from 10-11 am with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat's name to: St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in Vineland or St. Michael's Church, Minotola.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.wbfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.