Born Oct. 6, 1929
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died May 19, 2025
Belmont, Vermont
Pat loved to tell stories of growing up with her caring and sociable Swedish father Herbert Andrew Johnson (Johannesson) and reserved mother Catherine Elizabeth Johnson (née Mitchell) in the vibrant immigrant neighborhood of Inwood in New York City, then later in Yonkers, NY. She credited growing up a single child for her passion for cinema, reading, music, and art. Her eyes lit up when she told stories of going to double features with her mother, visiting the Morgan Library, or seeing Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra with her college friends.
Bright and curious, editor of her high school paper, after graduating from Finch College and Packard Business School, she was proud to have worked at the Research Institute of America with Leo Cherne, leader of the International Rescue Committee and advocate for liberation and sanctuary for some of the world’s most persecuted people. Later, as a real estate agent she was applauded for her commitment to Fair Housing and as a Census lead assured people from all walks of life were counted, memorably bringing a pocket copy of the constitution to one reluctant person to show that counting everyone was enshrined in our founding document.
Pat married Roland Marx in 1952 at the Eglise de la Madeleine in Paris, where many of Roland’s extended family lives and where he was stationed after the war. They returned to live in Paris where she learned the French language and culture and traveled throughout Europe and beyond. Her artistic sensibility shone in her style, quilting, restoration, and more.
Mom/Mama was greatly loved by and loving to her four children, twelve grandchildren, and six great grandchildren (so far). “La famille avant tout,” she devoted herself to supporting their many dreams and aspirations. A fabulous cook, delicious food was the center of many large family gatherings, for the past decades in and around Belmont, Vermont.
Wherever she lived, Pat formed enduring friendships. Her stories about those friends were hilarious, heartbreaking, and imbued with warmth. You could count on Pat to be kind and helpful, then turn your head with her quick dry wit. Too many to mention, thank you all for making her life more meaningful, engaged, and fun.
Pat was an active community member and leader. As a girl she knitted sweaters for WWII navy sailors. Later she launched a chapter of the League of Women Voters, helped preserve Turkey Mountain in Yorktown NY where she served on the Conservation Advisory Council, supported three Friends of the Library, and much more. Into her nineties she was writing postcards to get progressive democratic candidates elected to office.
Pat/Mom/Mama is celebrated by her husband Roland Marx; her children Robert Marx (Nancy Pendleton), Audrey Alonis (née Marx, Joe Alonis), Brendan Marx (formerly Sandi née Handelman and Renee née Laverdiere DiLauro), and Elisabeth Marx (John Marco); her twelve grandchildren Hayden Marx, William Marx, Andrew Alonis (Jane Fairchild), Patrick Alonis, Amelia Alonis, Kira Marx (bientôt James Seidman), Lindsey Marx (Michael Rappaport), Ryan Marx (Lauren Wiener), Colette DiLauro (Tony Cennamo), Celeste DiLauro, Linus Marco (Kayla Feldman), Nina Marco; and her great-grandchildren Walter Alonis, Jack and Jordon Rappaport, and Joel, Luke, and Connor Marco.
Pat had a natural burial surrounded by family at the Vermont Forest Cemetery. This summer her family will host a remembrance and celebration of her life, where we will lift a glass and offer her favorite toast: “Mein Skol, Dein Skol, Alle Vakkera Flikka Skol!”
