Community Salute: Pat Carter Turns 80

by Kathleen Carter Martinez, "the eldest"

Dorothy Patricia Gibson Carter was born on 11/4/1931.  Her parents were John ‘Jack’ and Dorothy Gibson.  Her father’s family the ‘Gibson’s’ and her mother’s family the ‘Croughan’s’ lived in Bloomfield.  ‘Patsy’ is one of six children:  John, Patricia, Tommy, Catherine, Eddie and Mary.  ‘Patsy’ is a life-long resident of Bloomfield.

While in high school, ‘Patsy’ participated on the archery team which frequently practiced at Foley Field.  It was during this time that Patsy met Bob Carter ‘Bobby’ a member of her father’s track team at Seton Hall University.  Occasionally, her father could also be found at Foley Field holding a practice with some of his runners, Bob Carter was one of them.

History and rumor blend together to tell a story of love-at-first-sight, although the facts are a little vague at this point, it is hard to say what happened next.  There are some that say Bob chased Patsy until he caught her heart and then there are others that say he didn’t move fast enough for Patsy so she shot him in the foot with an arrow to slow him down to get his attention! Fact or fiction, from that point on everyone agrees the race was on!

Either way, as history goes on November 7, 1953 ‘Patsy’ married “Bobby’ - Robert L. Carter from Saranac Lake, New York.  Together they raised their six children in Bloomfield:  Kathie, Patti-Lee, Jerry, Gibby, Mike and Margie.  Over time as the children grew the family extended to include grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

From the  six children the following families grew:  the Carter-Martinez Family: Kathleen and Richard Martinez: Shanzy Cheyenne and Kasaydia Wind;  Patti-Lee Carter (father-John Tiseo):  Jason, Missy, J.R., Tommy and Vanessa;  Jerry Carter (mother -Dana Filipone):  Jeremy and Samantha; Gibby and Cathy Carter:  Chris, Ashley and Matthew; Mike and Gerrise Carter: Mike, Kelly, Danny, Brian and Megan; and Margie and Vinnie Valerian: Vincent, Casey, Christian and Emily.

Over the years the story continues as ‘ Patsy’s’ family has expanded to include 21 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren with an additional 2 great grandchildren from her Grandaughter Missy soon to join the family!. The circle is wide and all who are a part of it are connected by a strong tradition of love for family that started somewhere on Foley Field a long time ago.

As a devoted wife and mother highly skilled at multi-tasking and nurturing the family through the best and the worst of times, wins and losses, illness and injuries, joys and sorrows, ‘Patsy’ took care of the children and managed the family home for many years until returning to work in 1968 with the Guidance Department at Bloomfield High School.  

‘Patsy’s ‘ commitment to the youth of Bloomfield is further evidenced by her long time of service on the Bloomfield Juvenile Conference Committee, where she has served as a concerned citizen and guide to the troubled youth of the community in an effort to help provide a second chance!

To this day, @ 80 years of age, ‘Patsy’ remains  a staff member with the Guidance Department @ Bloomfield High School.  Much to her credit, ‘Patsy’ has helped to guide the education and well-being of all students who pass through the doors of the Guidance Department. As a mother and as a member of the guidance department, ‘Patsy’ has helped to guide the educational journey of her own family, beginning with her own children, and extending to grandchildren and nieces and nephews across multiple generations.

It would not be right to talk about ‘Patsy’ without mentioning her skills as a ‘Happy Hooker’!  Well known to many is ‘Patsy’s incredible work in the fine art of crocheting…hence the ‘Happy Hooker’ as she has taught many a family member and co-worker in the fine art of crochet.

Within the extended family, her work is both admired and cherished!  Take a straw poll in the family and you will discover that number one on the list of shower presents and wedding presents is the secret hope that this will be ‘your year’ to get a hand-made blanket from ‘Gramma Pat’ or ‘Aunt Pat’!

So this year, ‘Patsy’s 80^th year is her year!  Those that love and cherish ‘Patsy’ came together on November 25, 2011 at the Fireman’s Hall in North Caldwell @ a surprise birthday party in honor of ‘Patsy’.  Rest assured that even though the room was full, there remain others both far and wide unable to attend that sent their love and best wishes!  As with any family, there are family members that  cross over before us, but here on this day, everyone could feel the presence of the spirits of those that have gone before us as we gathered to say ‘We Love You Mom’…’We love you Patsy’ and the ever-so-infamous- ‘We Love you Mrs. Carter!’  And as the love , hugs and kisses were going around you could hear the voice of ‘Bobby’ whisper throughout the room:  ‘Outstanding Patsy…well done!

Happy Birthday Mrs. Carter…in the words of Sharon Chreech….’you are such the best!’