Patricia "Pat" McCormack Zeiss, of East Bridgewater, formerly of Chatham, Orleans, MA and Florham Park, NJ passed away at home on July 14, 2023 after a two-year illness with cancer. She was the wife of the late W. James Zeiss, Jr.

Born on October 31, 1943 in Paterson, NJ, Pat was the eldest daughter of four children to the late Martin and Blanche (Gray) McCormack.

Pat received her bachelor's degree from Caldwell College for Women (now Caldwell University) in Caldwell, NJ in 1965. Before college, she graduated St. Mary's High School in Rutherford, NJ. She had so many great memories and wonderful lifelong high school friends, which she cherished right up until her passing.

While Pat had many academic successes, her true goal in life was to be a wife and mother. She met the love of her life and future husband, Jim, on a blind date for a college dance, and they were inseparable from that moment on until his passing in 2000. While they raised their family in their home state of NJ, Pat held a soft spot for Cape Cod, as she had fond memories of spending summers there as a child. For 20 years, she tried to convince Jim to travel to Cape Cod, and they finally did in the summer of 1985. When he got there, he fell in love and said, "I want to live here someday." They moved to the Cape in 1992 and spent eight wonderful years there before his death. Upon Jim's passing, many friends and family thought she would return to NJ until they witnessed the loving people who surrounded her in that beautiful community and understood why she would want to stay.

Pat loved working with children and was the first children's librarian in Florham Park, NJ. Her own children remember her packing up every hat in the house to read and play out the book "Caps for Sale" during the kids' story hour at the library. For several years, she volunteered as a CCD teacher at Holy Family Church in Florham Park; and after moving to the Cape, she volunteered as the confirmation teacher at Holy Redeemer Church in Chatham for eight years. She held a variety of office manager positions, the last at John C. Ricotta & Associates Real Estate in Chatham, MA before she retired. After retirement, the work did not stop. She was one of the founding members of Nauset Neighbors, Inc., an aging-in-place organization whose mission is to keep seniors independent in their own homes. She served as the membership director for seven years and as President for three years. Pat also volunteered as the administrative coordinator for the Cape & Islands, tax counselor with AARP Tax-Aide Program, and treasurer for Landing's Edge condominium association for many years.

Pat was the beloved mother of Jim Zeiss and his wife Donna of Colonia, NJ, Kelly Shea and her husband Tom of Morristown, NJ, Kevin Zeiss and his late wife Amy of Dallas, PA, and Kristen Yafrate and her husband Michael of East Bridgewater, MA. Cherished grandmother to Michael and his wife Erica, Melissa and her fiancé Brian, Liam, Colin, Hannah, Rory, Allison, and Ryan. Loving great grandmother to Luca and Siena. Treasured sister to Marty McCormack and his wife Janet, Mary Yost and her husband Jim, and Cathy Balady and her husband Mike. Dearest sister-in-law to the late Ken Zeiss and his wife Claire, Terry Waters and her husband Greg, and Tim Zeiss and his wife Nanci. Pat also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Pat was loved by all who knew her due to her generous and loving spirit. She would always be the first to volunteer and always put others before herself. The world would be a much better place if there were more Pats in it.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 22nd at 10:30 AM in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 103 Center St., Bridgewater. Interment will be private. Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 21st in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 441 S. Main St. (Rt.28), West Bridgewater from 4:00-8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lower Cape Outreach of Cape Cod, 19 Brewster Cross Road, Orleans, MA or Old Colony Hospice 321 Manley St, West Bridgewater, MA.