Rumson-raised Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Class of 1964 graduate, Patricia Ward Ruland passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2022, after a short battle with cancer. She was 76.

Born in Long Branch, Patricia was raised in Rumson. After graduating from RFH, she and her husband, whom she met when she was 15, got married in 1965, became Monmouth Beach residents and raised their family there, where they lived for many years. She lived in Oceanport for the last two years.

Patricia spent her professional career at Shore Regional High School as an administrative assistant, retiring in 2007 after 25 years. She joined the Monmouth Beach Ladies Auxiliary in 1975. She was president 10 times and vice president three times. She also spent many hours preparing and serving at the annual Monmouth Beach Firemen’s Fair.

“Patricia loved spending time with her family, especially her 11 grandchildren. Christmas was her favorite time of year and it was always her goal to get everyone together for Christmas Day. Patricia loved to have fun and loved to dance. She and her husband were amazing dancers and their children used to love watching them together. If you put on her favorite song, ‘Old Time Rock N’ Roll,’ you could always get her to dance on a table,
no matter where she was!
(We would like to take this opportunity to apologize to several firehouses and wedding venues in the tri-state area for the broken tables!)
Patricia was such a kind-hearted, warm, loving and open person, but she was also known as one of the most FUN people to be with. She was so funny and had great wit and sarcasm. She truly loved dogs, especially her own, but if you were out in public and all of the sudden you couldn’t find her, she would always be somewhere talking to or petting someone’s dog. She used to always say, ‘Dogs are my favorite people.’ She will be greatly missed by her children, her family and everyone who knew her, including the dogs.”

Loved ones of Patricia Ward Ruland in her obituary

Patricia was predeceased by: her parents Lucille and William Ward; her husband, Robert, in 2011; her brother and sister-in-law, William and Karen Ward; her brothers-in law, Gary and Thomas Ruland; and her beloved dog, Nikki.

She is survived by: her children, Tricia Masica, of Toms River, Dianne Feeny and her husband John, of Fair Haven, Renee Toop and her husband Shane, of Boonville, NC, and Robert Ruland and his wife Rebecca, of Oceanport; her beloved sister, Doreen Tewksbury, of Eustis, FL; her cherished grandchildren, Joseph, Kevin and Kyle Masica, Kaitlyn, John and Bryan Feeny, Evan and Joshua Toop, Dillon, Tyler and Patrick Ruland; great-grandson, Troyce Masica; her sisters-in-law, Ruth Bachman, of East Stroudsburg, PA, Christina Ruland, of Cliffwood Beach, Renate Ruland, of Forked River; her loving and loyal dog, Brandy; and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.

“She will also be missed by her ‘lunch bunch,’ her group of friends that she has spent many years with and who she of course loved going out to lunch with!”

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 15, at noon at the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, 4 East River Road, Rumson. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Monmouth Beach Volunteer Fire Department, 24 Beach Road, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750.