Joan Patricia Fagan

Mrs. Joan Patricia Hamilton Fagan, affectionately known by all as “Pat”, entered the Eternal Kingdom guided by her love of the Lord, on Friday, February 21, 2025.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Wednesday, February 26th from 2:00-5:00PM.  On Thursday, February 27th at 8:30AM, everyone will start to gather in the funeral home where a prayer service will begin at 9:00AM, followed by the funeral mass to be offered in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church in Linden at 10:00AM.  The cremation in Rosehill Crematory, Linden and Pat’s inurnment in the family crypt in St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia will be private. 

Pat, the daughter of the late Mary Fagiri Hamilton and the late Paul Hamilton, was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey where she spent most of her life until she decided to move to Linden to be closer to her daughter, Gigi.

She started her career as a switchboard operator working for a local answering service for fifteen years.  Pat then went on to become a receptionist for National Color Laboratories in Roselle until her retirement in the early 1990’s. 

Anyone who knew Pat could truly describe her in one meaningful sentence - Pat was the epitome of a “Donna Reed” kind of mom, who loved, protected and lived for her daughter, Gigi.  She would do everything and anything for Gigi and was a total “hands on” devoted mother.  In the early years, Pat, along with her mom, Mary, would take Gigi on numerous treks into New York City.  The three of them would explore everything the city had to offer: the Broadway shows, the Rockettes at Radio City at Christmas time, the museums, the ballet and of course, visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral, especially to see the Pieta.  The early exposure to New York City blossomed the entire world for Gigi and both Pat & Mary knew that Gigi would love it as much as they did. 

Locally, Pat got a kick out of the time spent with her buddies at the Linden Fun & Friendship Club.  Additionally, she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Linden Knight of Columbus Council #2859, where she enjoyed attending the meetings and the different charity events.  However, even during these times, Pat kept her eyes peeled on her watch to make sure that she left with enough time to get to the train station to pick up Gigi who would be coming back from her job in the city.  Preparations for the various holidays throughout the year would include Pat baking up a storm of kolaches at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Linden, working alongside so many of the friends she made there.  Sundays, however, were always a day reserved to spend time with and enjoy dinner with her sister, Betty.   

We all recognized that the focus of Pat’s life never wavered and that was to always take care of Gigi.  She had the uncanny and innate ability to know exactly what and when Gigi would need things, and Pat made sure that she either acquired them or got the task done.  Her devotion to Gigi was the catalyst for bringing unending joy to Pat’s life and it forever gave her a sense of comfort and fulfillment. 

Pat unfortunately, experienced the loss of too many family members that she loved; her first husband, William F. Krisak (1999), her second husband, Charles J. Fagan (1983), her brother, John “Jack” M. Hamilton (2009); her sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Weber (2014) and most recently her son-in-law, who took such good care of Pat, Thomas E. Livolsi (2025).

Pat is survived by her daughter, Gigi Krisak-Livolsi; several nieces and nephews and Pat’s friends and neighbors.

Our hearts break for the loss of Pat, but we know without a doubt that there was a massive celebration when she entered the heavenly gates, where she was greeted with loving arms and the brightest smiles of all those she had loved and lost.

We also know that Gigi with this recent loss of both her husband, Tom and now her mom, Pat, will need all of us, more than we can even imagine.  May we all hold Gigi close in our hearts and our prayers and please remember to reach out to Gigi so she never forgets that she has so many friends who consider her a part of their families. 

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