Patricia Ann Gillespie

Patricia (Patty) was born in Paterson, NJ on May 11, 1946, to Gertrude Louise and Frank Guest. Her sunset was November 12, 2024, at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Somerset, NJ.

She grew up on Bridge Street and attended School 6. She was a member of Saint Luke Baptist Church. She had fond memories of swimming at Lou Costello Pool, spending a Saturday watching cartoons at the Fabian Theatre, or shopping with her mother downtown at Meyer Brothers.

Patricia Guest attended Eastside High School. In high school, she met and fell in love with fellow Ghost Willie Gillespie from Laurinburg, North Carolina. She graduated from Eastside in 1964.

During ensuing courtship with Willie, Patricia worked at textile machinery manufacturer Hayban and attended Essex County Community College in Newark. She graduated with an associate's degree in 1968.

Patricia and Willie married in 1969.The couple had two children, Lizandaa (Liz-ann-day/Zandi) Tishia Gillespie and Antoine Delvaughn Gillespie during their 32-year marriage.

Patrica’s 30-year career as a draftsperson spanned the evolution of the telecommunications industry. She worked for New Jersey Bell then Bell Atlantic and finally Verizon. She was a pioneer as a female draftsperson in a male-dominated field. She was known for her impeccable prints and didn’t think twice about trading her high heels in for construction boots to conduct field work on roofs or in manholes. She was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Following the unexpected death of Willie in 2001, Patricia retired from Verizon in 2002 and took over the family soul food business: Chicken Delicious II in Passaic. She renamed it Willie G’s in honor of her late husband. Patricia successfully ran Willie G’s for six years until complications with her health forced her to close the business after 29 years in the family.

Patricia Ann Gillespie loved cleaning, looking good, and going out. She was an avid shopper, an eager hostess, and a world traveler. She was a devout member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack. She loved her family and loved to keep things real even more!

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willie Gillespie, brothers George Jones, Robert Guest, Bruce Jackson, Clifford Jackson, Ronald Guest, and Michael Guest and sisters Doris Barrett and Everdeen Treadwell.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her children Lizandaa (Liz-ann-day/Zandi) Alburg, son-in-law Mark Alburg, son Antoine Gillespie, daughter-in-law Jenna Gillespie, granddaughters Billie and Logan Gillespie, “grandbirds” Sunny, Sydney and Woody, “grandpup” Loki, sister Claudia Guest, brother Maurice Guest, sister Verna Williams and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends.

Patricia Ann Gillespie may be gone but her smile and spirit will continue to live on in countless memories and stories. Rest in peace and keep smiling beautiful lady. You are missed! We love and celebrate you.