Patsy Ann Keisling, a resident of Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman, NJ, died on November 19, 2011, surrounded by love. She was 87.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas on February 16, 1924, Pat was the eldest daughter of Mert Seipel (nee Dixon) and Robert W. Seipel. After attending TCU for 2 years she transferred to and graduated from the University of Texas (Austin), with a B.A. in English. In the fall of 1946, Pat took a vacation trip to New York, and stayed. She loved the cultural vitality of the city, attending almost every play on Broadway in those years. She also joined Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church where she made many lifelong friends, and met her husband, William Stewart Keisling.

Pat and Stewart were married at Madison Avenue Presbyterian in 1957. In 1959, they moved to Staten Island, where Pat earned an M.A. in Early Childhood Education. She worked as a kindergarten teacher for 20 years at Public School 16 on Staten Island, and with her husband raised two children.

In 1978, the family moved to Princeton, New Jersey. They joined Nassau Presbyterian Church, which became the center of their life there. Pat served as a deacon, and as co-leader for many years of the Women's Circle.

Stewart, Pat's husband of 42 years, died in 1999.

Pat took great pleasure in theater and ballet, in reading, and in travel. A vacation to Italy in the early 1950s was a cherished memory, and the first of many trips in the U.S. and abroad. Most of all, she had a gift for friendship. Even near the end of her life, her warmth and kindly interest toward staff and fellow Stonebridge residents was exemplary. Her cheerful presence, in spite of failing health, gave joy to neighbors struggling with their own hardships. Beneath an unassuming manner, Pat was a woman of determination, who chose life's goodness, sharing with others every day.

Pat Keisling is survived by a daughter, Sarah, of Providence, RI; a son, Gordon Kiesling, his wife Lael, and three children, Stewart, Conlon and Caroline, of New Canaan, CT; a sister, Mina S. Grier, of Atlanta.

A memorial service will be held at Nassau Presbyterian on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 12:30 pm. She will be buried in Princeton Cemetery.

No flowers, please. Those who wish to honor Pat Keisling's memory are encouraged to make new friends, and to visit those who are alone, or housebound, and in need of friendship.