Patricia May Engelbrecht (McCarty) of Cinnaminson, NJ, passed away on April 4, 2023 at 95 years of age. She was the daughter of the late John and Elsie McCarty, wife of Eugene (deceased 2004), mother of Charlene Thellmann (Mark) Merchantville, NJ, William Engelbrecht, Cinnaminson, NJ.

Patricia spent her early childhood in Piney Hollow, NJ living in the Jenny Wren cottage, built by her grandfather, George S. McCarty, on his estate in Franklin Townships. He was a world champion marksman who competed with Anne Oakley. He cultivated 500 acres of pineland and was one of the first cranberry bog and Christmas tree farmers in NJ.

Pat spent her young years appreciating nature and helping raise and rehabilitate wildlife with her grandfather, taking care of her pet deer Billy and wandering the white sandy roads of the pines. She often talked about the beauty and serenity of the Pine Barrens and loved nature.

Her parents, John and Elsie, were musicians and artists. Her family moved from Piney Hollow to Philadelphia, where she attended Friends Select, and then moved to Williamstown, NJ. She graduated from Haddonfield High School.

Her sense of color, style and design led her to a career as a fashion illustrator for Strawbridge and Clothier in Philadelphia.

Pat spent a month in Cuba in the 1940's and brought back the souvenir of a cloth monkey hand puppet. She was detained at customs as they searched her luggage for the monkey she had declared. After searching, the frustrated agents asked – "lady, we give up, where are you hiding that monkey"? All broke out in laughter when she produced the felt monkey puppet from her suitcase.

Pat met Gene in her hometown of Williamstown. They married and moved to Arlington, VA, taking jobs at the Pentagon in the United States Geological Services Department as draftsmen.

They moved back to NJ and settled in Mt. Holly where Gene worked as a civil engineer. In the 1960's they built their home in Cinnaminson, NJ. Pat worked at John Wanamaker's and Macy's Department stores while raising her two children.

She was a shell seeker and loved being in the sand and sun. Her favorite place was Sanibel Island, Florida. Pat loved all creatures and faithfully fed the birds and wildlife that frequented her back yard. She loved taking care of her cat Cookie, Iggy the Iguana, and guinea pigs Violet, Penny, and Priscilla.

Pat was an avid walker and up to age 89 was walking six miles per day, which took a while as she visited with everyone on her route.

She was a loving and generous person who always had a smile and kind word for everyone. She looked on the bright side and had the personality of the shining sun, warm and caring. Her love, light and laughter will be dearly missed by Charlene, Mark, William, dear friends Renee and Christina, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Carole Kimble for her compassionate care and friendship, caregivers Arlene and Mercy and Nurse Manny of Samaritan Hospice.

Donations in her memory can be made here:

Pineland Preservation Alliance https://pinelandsalliance.org/our-work/support-ppa/tribute-gifts/

Voorhees Animal Orphanage https://www.vaonj.org/support/donate/