Memorial Service Planned For MHS' Much-Loved Pat Woodward

Pat Woodward, longtime director of the fall showcases for Montclair High School’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, passed away on Monday, apparently from a heart attack.

A memorial service has now been scheduled Monday, April 9, at 7 p.m.

Under Woodward's guidance, MHS has put on a string of well-received productions over more than a dozen years including A Night at the Round Table in November 2011. Many MHS parents and students expressed great sadness upon hearing the news, saying that she will be sorely missed.

According to ObitsforLife.com, Woodward, 62, was born and raised in Queens, New York and was a resident of Montclair for nearly 25 years before moving to Little Falls last year. She worked many years as a teacher and administrator for the Drama Department of her alma mater, Pace University in New York. Member and Leader of Torchbearers Club at Pace University, she also founded and directed the theater group at at Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair, founded the theater group “Showstoppers” at PCUM, and taught and directed for SVPA at Montclair High School and Clifton High School.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 9, 2012, 7 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 46 Park St. in Montclair. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 to 6 P.M at Shook's Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave. Cedar Grove. Cremation will be private. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shookscedargrove.com.

Woodward was the beloved wife of 27 years to Kirk Woodward and devoted mother to Erin, Heather and Craig Woodward. She also was loving daughter to late James and Rose (Guarino) Conway and a dear sister to Michelle Reiff and James Conway.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude and Gilda’s Club: www.stjude.org/donate, www.gildasclub.org/makeadonation.asp

According to The Montclair Times, many of the SVPA students began writing personal messages and tributes to Woodward on a long roll of paper that was stretched across the stage in the Little Theater where Woodward had directed so many shows through the years.

"I knew something was up when they told us to come to a meeting," Emma Chin told The Montclair Times, a junior who worked on the technical crew during Woodward's last showcase which was staged in December.

"I was hoping they were going to tell us something like 'great job guys,'" Chin said. "This was the last thing I thought was going to happen."

Principal James Earle released the following message on Tuesday:

It is with saddened hearts that we share this information with you.  Mrs. Pat Woodward, SVPA staff member, passed away last night, April 2, 2012. Pat has been a part of SVPA for many years, was the Director of Showcase, and worked in various other capacities for SVPA. MHS administrators met with SVPA students after school today along with SVPA staff, Mrs. Pepper, Mr. Cleerdin, Dr. Vallillo, and Ms. Blackburn. School counselors and psychologists were also on hand.  Counselors and other school personnel will be available tomorrow, Thursday, and next week to meet with students as needed.  Please feel free to contact your child’s team office if you would like us to reach out to your child.

James Earle, Principal