Patricia “Pat” Orths passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. She was 91.

Pat was born on March 7, 1935, in Newark, NJ. She was the devoted daughter of John Reilly (1904-1968) and Helen Sullivan Reilly (1902-1978). Pat had an older sister Dot Grant (1925-2013).

Pat graduated from Weequahic High School, in Newark, NJ.

Pat met Norman Orths in 1953 and they married in April 1956. They were best friends blessed with a seventy-year marriage full of love. Pat was blessed with four children (Norman Jr., his wife Mary, Russell and Nancy), four grandchildren (Tiffany, Howard “Rusty”, Jennifer, and Jonathan) and ten great grandchildren (Anthony, Emanual, Gabriel, Cierra, Oscar, Ayden, Lala, Noah, Mia, and Noah Taj).

Pat married Norman as he began a three-year tour with the United States Air Force. She truly enjoyed her time as a military spouse. They were stationed at bases in Harlingen, TX, Sacramento, CA and Lake Charles, LA. Afterwards, they moved to Fanwood, NJ to be closer to their families. In 1966, due to a career opportunity, they relocated their family to Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Pat was a dedicated mother and home-maker. She always put the interests of her family, and most importantly her children, ahead of her own. She taught them life skills that would endure. Pat was a proverbial “soccer mom” before the term was coined. Her passions were cooking, gardening and home décor. Pat loved cooking for family and friends and truly enjoyed celebrating all holidays, birthdays and life milestones.

In 1980, when Pat and Norm became empty-nesters, they relocated to Errol Estates Country Club in Apopka, FL. As they were still in the 40’s and still working, their older neighbors educated them in the “Art of Retirement Living.” Pat and Norm split their time enjoying the golfing and socializing lifestyles at Errol and relaxing and socializing at their condominium in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

During her life, Pat worked as a legal secretary, civil Service employee, interior design salesperson, staff assistant and Human Resources representative.

Pat’s greatest pleasure was meeting new people. She would strike up a conversation with anyone she met. She nurtured many life-long friendships. She truly enjoyed hosting, coordinating and attending all kinds of social gatherings.

During her lifetime, Pat was a voracious reader who also enjoyed fishing, playing tennis, golfing, bowling, dirt motorbike riding, playing card and board games and, in later life, attending NASCAR races.

Pat’s “guilty pleasure” was occasional penny-and-nickel slot machine play tied to cruises or trips to casinos in South Florida, Biloxi, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, the Bahamas, Macau and Okinawa, Japan. A “win” for Pat was truly a win.

Pat also enjoyed the performing arts, whether attending concerts by her favorite entertainers or stage productions on Broadway, in London, Las Vegas or Orlando. Musicals were her favorite.

Pat loved to travel. She far-exceeded her original “bucket list” desires with countless cruises to various Caribbean island-nation ports-of-call, to Alaska, up the New England coast, through the Panama Canal, multiple trans-Atlantic voyages, along with Mediterranean and Baltic Sea cruising. She also enjoyed road trips around the U.S., Mexico and Canada, travel to major Asian cities, fly/drive tours to Ireland, Scotland, England and car/train/bus trips through European countries.

Coming from humble beginnings, Pat’s was a life well-lived. She was forever appreciative of all she had been blessed with, kindnesses others had shown her, and the friendships and fond memories she made along her journey in life.

Pat will be interred in the Canaveral National Cemetery, in Mims, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St Jude’s Childrens Hospital.