Patricia Ann Lazor

Patricia Ann La Gattuta Lazor

(February 3, 1936–August 11, 2025)

Patricia Lazor (Pat, Mom, Grandma, Nana Pat, Gigi), age 89, passed away peacefully on August 11th at her home in Far Hills, NJ, surrounded by her children and flowers.

Pat graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1957 with a B.A., double majoring in English and Fashion Design. She received an M.Ed. from Rutgers University in 1962 and later graduated from the New York School of Interior Design. Her passion for learning and the visual arts

continued with courses in photography and painting, developing yet more of her prodigious talent that she applied to many mediums of art and design.

Pat’s life was a life focused on creating beauty and connection for the enjoyment of her family and friends. She did so through cooking, entertaining, interior design, gardening, flower arranging, painting, photography, fashion design, sewing, and knitting. If it was something that could be made, Pat dove in, headfirst with confidence, her great eye leading her talented hands, invariably producing something beautiful.

As much as making things, Pat loved playing bridge for its complexity, logic, and teamwork. Those who played with her remember a calm and focused mind that loved to win. Pat brought that same spirit and passion to flower arranging and photography competitions. While she rarely shared if she won, Pat spoke often about the fun times she had with the community of “wonderful, talented women”. This past July, in the back of a closet, a box containing a pile of blue ribbons and a stack of commendations for her work was discovered, layer upon layer of recognitions from city-wide art competitions in middle school to a “best in show” photograph from just last year. When her kids outed her, presenting the box, you could see the joy on Pat’s face. She recounted even the fine details of each submission with a crystal clear memory .

Pat had a lifelong love for horses and riding, which she shared with her daughters. She was the ultimate horse show mom, making sure everything was in order for her children’s competitions. She also enjoyed golf and tennis at the Somerset Hills Country Club and paddle and skating at the Essex Hunt Club. Perhaps her favorite activity at Essex was to sit rinkside, where she logged over 10,000 hours watching her kids and grandkids play hockey, while simultaneously knitting beautiful woolens to keep her brood warm. Pat’s many other joys included concocting fun themed costume parties, dancing, sleeping in winter with the windows open, anything chocolate, the Met Costume wing, Bergdorf’s and Bendels (in that order), drying seeds for spring planting, pickling Al's vegetables, protecting insects, and discovering yet another use for vinegar.

Pat loved to travel with Al, her beloved husband, at her side. They explored North and South America, Europe, and Asia, camera in hand to capture the beauty they experienced together. Botanical discoveries likely meant foreign seeds snuck through Customs to be planted and nurtured in New Jersey soil.

Garden Club of America (GCA) was central to Pat’s life: a community of like-minded women she loved being with, learning and creating together. She became a member of the Garden Club of Morristown in 1988, serving as President from1995–1997. She exhibited nationally in floral design and photography and was a GCA Approved Judge in both floral design and photography. Pat loved working with her fellow members as a mentor and teacher in both disciplines. Like a good gardener, developing and nurturing the talent around her brought her great joy and satisfaction.

Pat was presented with the GCA Zone 1V Floral Design Award and the GCA Zone 1V Judging Award. At GCA and other major flower shows, she won numerous additional awards including the Puckett, the Munger, the Symonds Medal, Best in Show, and the Certificate of Excellence. She served as GCA’s Flower Show Chairman and was a member of the Judging Committee. Pat advocated for photography to be recognized at GCA and served as the first GCA Photography Chairman. She cherished her Garden Club ladies: the travel, the meals, the conversations, and camaraderie shared over many years.

A summary of Pat’s life would not be complete without mentioning her professional practice, Patricia A. Lazor Interior Design. The rooms she created and the furniture she designed focused on her clients and their individual lifestyles. She was equally adept at designing classic interiors and contemporary rooms.

As a member of several boards, including Family Counseling Services of Somerset County, Pat gave generously of her time. Pat’s life was full and varied but the most important part of each day revolved around her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. They brought her great joy, and she loved them dearly.

Pat is predeceased by her dearly loved husband of 60 years, Alexander Lazor, and is survived by her four children: Pamela, Carolyn, Charlie, and Peter; her daughter-in-law, Cathleen; her nine grandchildren Charles, Harrison, Alexandra, Olivia, Maeve, Jasper, Wyatt, Cooper, and Alden; and her great-granddaughter, Mira. She is predeceased by her dear sister, Grace Brunner.

In lieu of flowers, Pat would be grateful for donations to the Garden Club of Morristown P.O. Box 74

New Vernon, New Jersey 07976.