Donna Ann Marie Patterson

Donna AnnMarie Collins-Patterson, Donna AnnMarie left this earthly realm unexpectedly on Tuesday October 4th, 2022 after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 58. She never stopped fighting and being the loving mother and friend that she was, even during her toughest battles. It is hard to say goodbye, we wish that we had more time, and perhaps that during the time we had, we spent more of it together. We wish that so much of her life had not been lost to her illness, that things could have been different for her, and for us. While we know that she is at peace and that her struggles are at an end, there is pain and sadness. But even though she is gone, she has left a legacy of her love and perseverance. The ways she touched our lives will always remain. We ask that you to keep those memories alive by sharing them with us and one another, so that together, we may acknowledge and share both our joy and gift that her life was to us and the pain that her passing brings. In sharing the joy and pain together today, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy.

Born July 27th, 1964 in London, England. She was the first-born daughter of Blossom Johnson and Hezekiah Collins. In 1977, at the age of 14, she and her siblings came to United States and began their new life. She attended New Brunswick High School where she was a part of the Color Guard drill team, as well as attended and volunteered at various events. She worked a small side job together with her sisters and mom after school and also worked part time for Sears and Roebuck. In her free time on the weekends, Donna and her sisters would get on the train to Brooklyn to see and spend time with her cousins, Ruth and Naomi and go shopping together. After graduating high school, she worked at St. Peter's university hospital in New Brunswick alongside her aunt Monica Mosely, before transitioning to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital full time. She worked in the billing and charity care department with coworkers who eventually became more like family to her, and worked there for 29 years. Donna was dedicated, and had a passion for helping others in their time of need and that's one of the reasons why she was so loved. She met Stacy Patterson of New Brunswick. They were both employees at Sears and began dating for some time. They had their first child together, Brittney in July of 1987. In 1989, they got married and had their second child, Briana in March of 1992. They moved out of New Brunswick and brought a house in Somerset, NJ in 1994. Party planning for her daughters and family gatherings like birthdays and holidays were always her favorite way to spend quality time with family. Donna’s family in law meant a lot to her. They welcomed her with open arms, and were always so supportive and she loved them very dearly.

She always had a passion for creativity. She loved baking from scratch, decorating and making treats. When she planned birthday parties for her daughters, it always included fun and interactive arts and craft activities. Donna went above and beyond for her daughters and those that she loved. She enjoyed traveling and family trips, whether it be random weekend getaways or family gatherings in other states. Donna conquered and overcame her first battle with breast cancer in 2006. But in 2016, it came back for a second time, and her willpower to live was stronger than ever. Her family and friends who knew what she was going through, was by her side through it all. To those of you who knew Donna, she was a woman of strength, grace, and had such a big heart. She was our mother and best friend. Even if you were a stranger, she always encouraged you to follow your dreams and succeed. She was a caring and supportive, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

Donna AnnMarie is pre-deceased by her father Hezekiah Collins. She is survived by her husband, Stacy Patterson, her daughters, Brittney and Briana Patterson of Somerset, her mother Blossom Johnson of Port St. Lucie Florida, her sisters, Elaine Collins, Doreen Collins, and her brothers Stephen and Trevor, and Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews, Sister-in-laws, and Brother-in-laws who love her dearly.

We the family, would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love and support during this difficult time.