Gilpatrick, Dr. Naomi, 92, died peacefully and comfortably, Sunday, June 5, 2011 in Rockport, MA. Born in Holyoke, MA, to the late Honora (Sheehan) and Amisa Gilpatrick, she was a lifelong resident of Haskell, NJ. Irish American, author, and professor, Naomi graduated Salutatorian from Pompton Lakes HS in 1935 and Summa Cum Laude from St. Elizabeth’s College in 1939. She received her Master’s Degree at the University of Michigan (Honors in English; Phi Beta Kappa) and her Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. One of her many academic achievements was being a primary teacher at St. Frances School, Haskell, NJ, from 1949-1963. She also taught both graduate and undergraduate programs at William Paterson University and Seton Hall University. As a popular author, she was published in a variety of magazines: Catholic Educator, NEA Journal, Mademoiselle, and Ladies Home Journal. One of her outstanding works, "The Secret Life of Beatrix Potter" was published in the Natural History Magazine, NY (1971). She won the Avery Hopwood Award for Major Fiction with her novel, The Broken Pitcher (1943). This book was reviewed as "The great Catholic American novel has been written". Naomi will be remembered for her deep dedication to family and friends, her skillful pen, her clever mind, her Irish wit and sense of humor, her love of children and her dedication to her Catholic faith. She is survived by nine nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and many friends. She was predeceased by her brothers, Lawrence, Amisa, Quentin and George and sisters, Consuelo and Mary Ardath. Funeral Mass 10 AM, Tuesday, at St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, NJ. Interment at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ. No visitation. Arrangements entrusted to the Richards Funeral Home, 4 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ. BACK