Obituary of Patricia Genevieve Stocker

PATRICIA STOCKER The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday in Santa Cruz for Patricia "Pat" Genevieve (Devitt) Stocker who died in Santa Cruz on Monday, February 7th 2011 after a period of declining health. She had just celebrated her 91rst birthday. Born in Oakland to Milton and Ruby Devitt, she was the oldest in a family of 8 children. She lived in Oakland until she was 5 years old and her family moved to Santa Cruz. Mrs. Stocker graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1940. She married John M. Stocker, Sr. in 1941. A stay at home mom while her children were growing up, Mrs. Stocker later went to work for JC Penny when her youngest daughter was in junior high school; working at Penny's Pacific Avenue location for a number of years, and upon that location closing, went to work for Mervyn's in the linen/drapery department. She enjoyed camping with her family, including her grandchildren. She and her husband often took trips in their travel trailer. Mrs. Stocker also enjoyed reading and made an excellent pumpkin pie. An accomplished seamstress in her younger years, she sewed, crocheted, and knitted clothes for her young children. She also had the uncanny ability to always, not matter how old you were, write to you " Happy Birthday", always listing your number of years. She took great delight in family gatherings and a smile was often on her face just by being with her family. Throughout her illness, she was always positive and was smiling. Pat is a 7th generation California, raised in Santa Cruz County. She was a descendant of two Santa Cruz County pioneer families. Her mother, Ruby Cooper Devitt is a direct descendant of the Rodriguez-Perez families who came to Santa Cruz in 1798 and lived in the Branciforte Community. Mom's father was Milton S. Devitt of the Devitt-Soper family. The Devitts arrived from Ireland in 1850 and settled in Louisiana first before coming to Santa Cruz County in 1859. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Patty and Ron Victorino; John Stocker Jr.; Michael and Barbara Stocker; Denise Stocker; Kathy and Joe Turturici,; Wendy and Stan Frazier, and Dina Stocker. She also leaves her sister, Ruth Jacobs, her brother Milton Devitt, grandchildren and their spouses: Karen Victorino, Kris and Jessica Victorino, John and Becca Stocker, Scott and Christina Stocker, Christine Stocker, David Stocker, Daniel Frazier, Rachel and Austin Welch, Katie Turturici, and Stephen Turturici. She also is survived by her great grandchildren: Anthony and Savannah Stocker, Trevor and Natalie Stocker, Nathan and Johnny Stocker, Nicole Victorino, and a grandson due to be born in March. Pat also leaves many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, John M. "Jack" Stocker Sr.; parents Ruby and Milton Devitt Sr. ; sisters: Evelyn Eaton, Frances Trine, Marge Baker, Theresa Hall, and Rosemary Collins. We wish to thank Dr. Maritina Rodriguez for her care, kindness, and support for our Mother and us; and to the staff at Santa Cruz Dialysis, Hospice of Santa Cruz County, especially Soledad, and the staff at Santa Cruz Healthcare for the care given to our Mother while she stayed there. We also wish to thank all of her doctors for taking care of Mom for these many years. The Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church (515 Frederick Street) in Santa Cruz , beginning at 10 a.m. Friends may pay their respects at a viewing on Friday, February 11th from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County, Star of the sea Church Endowment Fund, American diabetes Association or to your favorite charity