T
he Pattison family gathered in their Andover Township home, known as Blind Brook Farm, to reminisce about cherished memories. Cece Pattison and her children Kathy and David shared stories of bringing the first horse to the farm in the 1950s, riding ponies through the pond on summer days, and raising sheep with the neighborhood kids through the Sussex Shepherds 4-H Club.

    Their late father, Bill, had purchased the property in 1954 as a weekend retreat. The family has called it home ever since, with Cece leading the 4-H club for over two decades. "It's been an incredibly special and experiential thing," Kathy said, getting emotional about their connection to the place.

    However, the 117-acre farm is now listed for sale at $2.2 million, marking the end of an era for the Pattison family. The proceeds will help fund Cece's transition to assisted living. Kathy and David aim to pay for her stay in a local facility, ensuring she remains part of the community.

    Growing up on the farm has had a lasting impact on the siblings. "It differentiates us," Kathy said, noting that it taught them grit and resourcefulness. They recall working together as a family, stacking hay bales, raising animals, and restoring farm structures.

    The property at 70 Goodale Road features a four-bedroom main farmhouse, a guest home, a lakefront cabin, and multiple barns, pastures, and outbuildings. The New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program protects the land from development, ensuring it remains as it is. Kathy hopes to find an ideal buyer who will cherish the farm's history and beauty.

    "This is history, heart and soul," Kathy said, getting choked up at the thought of the property leaving their family. "I think we do have this ideal buyer in mind, which is someone who will love it the same way we did."