Patricia E. (Bitzer) Caldwell

Patricia E. Caldwell (nee Bitzer) passed away on Monday evening, October 23, 2017 at home under Hospice care with her son and daughter-in-law at the age of 83 from kidney disease.

Patricia was born in Lancaster, PA and moved to Wilson Point with her parents, the late John & Daisy Bitzer, when she was just a year old.

Beloved wife of the late Bernard S. Caldwell for 58 years. They lived in Hawthorne for many years raising their 2 children and moved to Bowley’s Quarters in 1976.

Loving mother of Robert Caldwell and his wife Linda and the late Jacqualyn Caldwell, who we sadly lost in June of this year.

Devoted grandmother to Kimberly Goshen, Laura Milavec, John Lamar and Julie Lamar.

Cherished great-grandmother of Maddison and Hunter Goshen, Camryn and Justin Milavec, Kylie McGeeney, Mackenzie Lamar and Jace Yannacci.

Dear sister of the late Susan A. Mairose, the late John H. Bitzer, and the late Charles G. Bitzer.

Patricia worked for Franklin Square Hospital for 21 years. She first started working on the fundraising ‘campaign committee’ for Franklin Square Hospital to be built. She retired from the hospital, when she had bypass heart surgery over 30 years ago.

Patricia loved to read books, but suffered from macular degeneration. She struggled and eventually could no longer read her books. She was so thankful that she could listen to “books on tape”, since she loved reading so much.

She also loved to bake (she loved her sweets); and cook (we loved her soup), especially her lima bean soup with dumplings. She would always make a large pot of soup and call us, saying “we needed to stop by and pickup our bowl of soup!”

The past three years, she lived in Fallston, MD with her son and daughter-in-law.

She always enjoyed sitting on the swing on the back patio on sunny days listening to her “books on tape”.

Pat and Bernie traveled many summers to Ocean City, MD. This was her favorite place to vacation, where they made many memories.  Pat & Bernie did a lot of fishing (mostly Bernie) but she was always by his side. We are sure Pat and Bernie are side by side, fishing somewhere on the big ocean in the sky!

Friends may call at the family owned Bruzdzinski Funeral Home P.A.  1407 Old Eastern Avenue, Essex at Route 702 (beltway exit 36) on Sunday October 29th, 2017 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM.  Funeral service on Monday October 30th, 2017 at 11:00 AM.  Interment Gardens of Faith Memorial Gardens.