Patricia Ann Stark

1936 - 2010

Patricia Ann (Weeks) Stark "Patti" April 8, 1936 - November 18, 2010 Patti was born in Bakersfield three months prematurely in a time when most such infants did not survive. She had a challenging and interesting life that helped to shape her into the quiet, dignified, and elegant lady that she was. Patti's parents divorced shortly after she was born, and her mother passed away when Patti was just six years of age. She was then cared for by her loving grandparents until her grandmother passed away a few months later. Her grandfather was unable to care for Patti by himself, so she stayed temporarily with various relatives. Patti recalled riding the train to Oregon as a young child to live with an aunt and her family for a while. Around the age of seven, her mother's younger sister - just twelve years older than Patti - took her in and raised her to adulthood as her own child. She attended East Bakersfield and Bakersfield High Schools, graduating from BHS in 1953, and took a job at Brock's Department Store downtown. Patti was married in 1956 to her high school sweetheart, Lynn Weeks, with whom she had four children. Patti and her growing family moved often as required by Lynn's career. She said that she simply regarded as adventures these moves to Oceanside, Bakersfield, Taft, Los Angeles, Taft, Bakersfield, and Ventura. Patti was very humble, suffered from a lack of confidence, and never thought she did a good enough job. The truth is that she was an excellent mother, caring for four children born in four and a half years, including one toddler often sick with a life threatening illness. The kids were always very well cared for - clean, with home cooked meals, including a hot breakfast on cold winter days, clean well-mended clothes, and a clean house. She loved to read, and often took the kids with her to the library, instilling reading as a significant part of their lives. She always set a good example. When conflict arose, her compelling advice was always to "take the high road" as she called it. She stressed the values of love of family, honesty, and doing the right thing. Being of humble origin, she appreciated elegance, beauty, and finer things, and she worked hard to make a nice home with limited means. She enjoyed playing cards and board games with the family. She loved music, dancing, flowers, and interior design. Described by others as a very classy lady, she had a deep underlying sense of dignity that was both patient and nonjudgmental. She had endless love for her often willful and stubborn children! After divorcing in 1977, Patti relocated to Bakersfield, working for the next 16 years as a hostess and in retail sales of clothing and shoes; customers may remember Patti from the Bistro, Gottschalk's, Ward's, and Sullivan's. During this period, as her children had families of their own, they grew in appreciation of the remarkable job Patti had done in childrearing and homemaking. Holidays and special occasions meant gathering around Patti so she could share their love and adoration. A gem of a woman and well deserving, Patti was blessed in 1993 with Mr. William Calder Stark, a loving husband totally devoted to her. Patti and Calder shared wine, music, dancing, trips to the coast and mountains, cruises, and their faithful canine companion Reina. They enjoyed a beautiful home that was always open to friends and family. In times of need Patti was always there, and helped to raise a grandson just as she had raised her own children. All were welcome in the Stark residence! After Calder's passing in 2006, Patti relocated to San Luis Obispo to enjoy the coastal beauty. In declining health, she came home to Bakersfield in 2009, where she remained until her passing, surrounded by family and friends. Miss Patti was preceded in death by her husband, William Calder Stark; mother, Florene Holmes (Billie Underwood); father, Harold Patkoski; infant sister, Deanna Underwood; maternal grandparents, John and Mae Holmes; and maternal aunt and mother, Mozelle Nishkian. She is survived her daughter, Valory Foster of Bakersfield and granddaughter, Elizabeth Berry; son, Carey Weeks of San Luis Obispo and granddaughter Maya Weeks; son, Dr. Jonathan Weeks and daughter-in-law Jasmine of Bakersfield and grandchildren, Alyssa, Ryan, Hannah and an unborn child; and son, Raymond Weeks of Avenal and grandson, Jeffrey Weeks; brother, Father Craig Plunkett of Clovis; sister-in-law, Judith Langley; and numerous extended family and friends. The family extends thanks and appreciation to the staff of Pacifica Senior Living and Hoffmann Hospice. Donations may be made to Hoffmann Hospice and the Bakersfield SPCA. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in the chapel at Greenlawn Cemetery, 3700 River Blvd, Bakersfield on Tuesday, November 23rd, at 2 p.m. Greenlawn Mortuary www.bakersfield.com/obits