Audrey Kay Tockey Pate (1937-2021)
Audrey passed away on Sunday March 14th in Bakersfield, California at age 84. She was born on the February, 17 1937 in Broken Bow, Nebraska to Ora Tockey (1895-1958) and Florence Reed Tockey (1898-1986). Audrey was widowed at age 50 with the death of her husband Frank D. Pate, Sr (1932-1987).
Her family migrated from Nebraska to Bridgeport in 1941 and then moved to Bishop in 1942 when her dad was hired as a butcher at Joseph’s Market.
Audrey graduated from Bishop Union High School in 1955. She earned a varsity letter in tennis and played trumpet in the school band.
Following high school, Audrey studied cosmetology at Santa Monica City College. She returned to Bishop where she worked as a beauty operator. After getting married in June 1958, she set up a small beauty shop at home while caring for her three young children.
She later trained as a nurse’s aide and worked at Northern Inyo Hospital. Following 23 years of service as a nurse’s aide and ward clerk, Audrey retired in 1998. She moved to Bakersfield in 2001 to help her daughter care for her two young boys.
Throughout her life caring for others was her passion. She had a heart of gold. Audrey was known for always remembering to send cards for birthdays and special occasions. She enjoyed making holiday cookies, candies and party favors for friends and family.
Audrey is survived by sons Don of Adelaide, South Australia and Dudley (Robin) of Payette, Idaho, daughter Mary Cucchiaro (Dan) of Bakersfield, grandchildren Misty Warren, Whitney Bloom (Bruce), Brandon Pelupessy (Desiree) and Ryan Pelupessy, great-granddaughters Summer Beard and Finley Bloom, and many nieces, nephews and caring friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ora and Florence, husband Frank, and brothers Byron, Mervyn, and Darwin.
Graveside services will be held at 1pm on Saturday March 27th at the Pioneer Cemetery on West Line Street in Bishop, California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation to Hoffmann Hospice, 4401 Buena Vista Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311 or at their website: https://www.hoffmannhospice.org/donate/
Also worked with Audrey in the 80s. She was always caring and efficient and competent, she served her community well and inspired many of us to do likewise.
Audrey, what a great nurses aide and super ward clerk. I worked with Audrey, as so many other people did at the NIH. Always a smile for you. If you needed help and asked, if she could, would be there for you in a flash and say, what you need.… Read more »