Patricia Ellen Marel

Patricia Ellen Marel of the Bronx, New York, passed away on July 1st, 2023, two days shy of her 82nd birthday. Patricia was an only child born in Manhattan to John and Catherine Prendergast. She was raised in the Bronx, where she attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Thomas Aquinas High School. After graduating high school, Patricia attended Hunter College, where she majored in Math. She then worked as a secretary for Pfizer. 

Patricia loved to bowl in her spare time and belonged to a bowling league. At University Bowling Alley, she would meet her husband of 53 years Arnold Marel. It was love at first sight for Arnold, and they would marry at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the Bronx. As Arnold says, they just enjoyed looking at each other.  Patricia and Arnold were blessed with three children, whom they raised in the Bronx.  

While raising her children, Patricia would return to college. She attended Mercy College, where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Business Administration. Following graduation in 1983, she had a long career with New York City’s Board of Education. She retired from the Board of Education in 2007 where she last worked as a data analyst. As a data analyst, she ensured that school children received the resources they needed. In the same way, Patricia routinely offered kindness and support to family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. She also made sure that her own children received all the love, support, and counsel as they grew up (and as adults). Among Patricia’s happiest days were those spent with her grandson, Nikhil. From his birth and for as long as she was able, she played a huge role in his childhood. They spent many hours enjoying each other’s company.

Patricia was a witness to the evolution and building of the Bronx where she was a life-long resident.  She described spending many carefree days as a child exploring the borough and getting into mischief.  As an adult, she was an avid watcher of Masterpiece Theatre and British television generally.  Through the mid to late 70s, she was also known to dominate Friday evening games of Mah Jong amongst a group of her friends.  She also loved to garden, tending to various plants and flowers at the Co-op City townhouse the family moved to in 1982.

Patricia will be remembered as determined, intelligent, hard-working, and sincere. She will be remembered most for helping people and being there for others at challenging moments in their lives.

Patricia is survived by her husband, Arnold, and her children, Michael Marel (Som Ramrup), Robert Marel, and Catherine Marel (Anthony Walzer). She is also survived by her grandson Nikhil. Her close friends, extended family, and everyone who knew Patricia will miss her. 

A Celebration of Patricia’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York, on Saturday, July 8th, from 12-2 pm. The internment will be private.

For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com.  In lieu of flowers, the family encourages well wishers to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation or UNICEF.