Patricia A. (Wintjen) Bendsen

Jefferson Township:  After an 18-month-long valiant fight with a parade of illnesses, Patricia A. Bendsen passed away at the Chilton Medical Center on Monday, May 26, 2025, with her 3 daughters, Patricia, Sharon, Kathleen, and sister Theresa Wintjen at her side. She was 72 years of age.

Pat was born at St. John’s Long Island City Hospital in Queens, New York City. She moved to Wharton in 1988 and has lived in Lake Hopatcong since 2014. Pat was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved music, especially the oldies, and you could often find her singing and dancing. Pat was very creative; her hobbies included making curtains out of sheets and restyling objects and various materials to her liking. She had a very unique style of expression and a laugh that was contagious. Pat loved people. She was big-hearted in offering help, food, even money, although she barely had any. What was important to Mom was priceless things; she was devout in saying the Rosary and enjoyed conversing with all people, from the local gas station attendant to random people at the local stores and businesses. Mom made close friends in the neighborhood in Lake Hopatcong, which became like family to her.

Predeceased by her husband, Carl A. Bendsen (2023)

Parents: Herman Wintjen (1975) and Theresa Wintjen (1971)

Brothers: William J. Wintjen (2021) and Richard Wintjen (2022), Sister: Maureen T. Spero (2023), and brother-in-law: Deacon Thomas P. Beirne (2023)

Survived by:

Three Daughters: Patricia K. Bendsen Suarez and husband Dave of Wharton, Sharon Bendsen of Lake Hopatcong, and Kathleen Bendsen Randle and husband Charlie of Oak Ridge.

Grandsons: Cavan & Tyler.

Granddaughter: Amber.

Sister: Theresa Wintjen and significant other Angelo Beaumont of Queens, NYC.

Brother: Walter Wintjen and wife Sally of Brooklyn, NYC.

Sister-in-laws: Kristine Beirne of Wharton and Linda Wintjen of Mulberry, Florida.

Also survived by more than a dozen cherished nieces and nephews and their families, spanning the Wintjen, Butler, and Beirne families and many dear Bamberger cousins and their families. Additionally, she is survived by her cherished grand-pet and companion, Ashland.

Visitation will be held 5-8pm on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at the Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S. Main St., Wharton, NJ 07885.

A Memorial Mass will be held 10am on Friday, June 6, 2025 at St. Mary's Church, Wharton, followed by inurnment of her cremains at St. Mary's Cemetery, Mine Hill with her husband.

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