Patricia Ann Lochrie

Patricia Lochrie, 72, lost her courageous five-year battle with cancer on December 5 passing away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 7th, 1939 in Jackson, Michigan to Joseph and Ann Buckson. Soon after, Patricia, her sister Joan and her parents moved to Akron, Ohio, where she lived for the remainder of her youth. Surrounded by her mother Anns family, the Dudras, Patty " as she was known in her youth " spent her summers canoeing and swimming in waters of Portage Lakes and her winters skating on the creek along her beloved Vaughn Road. As a teen, Pat was a Varsity cheerleader, played trumpet in the Coventry High marching band, and was treasurer of the student council. After graduation, Pat became an executive secretary at Firestone Tire and Rubber. She was crowned Firestones Miss Fair Share in their beauty pageant held in Akron, a crown she proudly wore with beauty and grace. With her love of warm weather and an intrepid spirit stoked by her love of family, Pat moved to Southern California and landed a job as an executive secretary at North American Aviation in Anaheim. There Pat met her groom-to-be, William Lochrie. They married on April 24, 1965 in Akron, with all the tradition of a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony and all the revelry of a Ukranian reception. The drive back to California on Route 66 marked the beginning of a beautiful 46-year marriage. November of 1966 welcomed Pat and Bills first born, Lynn Ann (Hnat) at St. Judes Hospital in Fullerton. Pat always faced challenges without fear or hesitation, and upon finding Lynn to be profoundly deaf, Pat along with Bill took an active role ensuring Lynn would learn to speak and read lips as an oral deaf person. Three years later, the trio became a quartet with the addition of Brian William, also born at St. Judes Hospital. For two years, Pat worked tirelessly with Lynn, and when Lynn was three, Pat insisted the family move to one of the nations finest oral deaf school, St. Josephs Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, MO. For 10 years Pat, Bill and the family called St. Louis home. There Pat grew close to Bills parents in neighboring Springfield, IL. In January, 1981 the Lochrie family returned to California, settling permanently in Fullerton. This time Pat and Bill toted a third child with them, William Joseph born January 1978 at St. Johns Hospital in St. Louis. Back in her beloved Golden State, Pat and Bill raised their family in the parish of St. Philip Benizi and put all three children through Catholic high school. Pat returned to school to finish her higher education at Fullerton College, and in the spring of 94, she graduated with Highest Honors and a degree in Paralegal Studies. An internship at the North Orange County Court House led to her position as a legal aide in the District Attorneys office there. Later, former assistant DA Todd Spitzer recognized her ability and appointed her as an Executive Assistant in the Orange County Supervisors office, Third District, a position she held for four years. It was here that Pat discovered one of her true passions, community service and leadership in the Republican Party. She became an active member of the Fullerton Republican Womens Group and served as President for four years. Pat and Bill traveled extensively over the past few years nationally and internationally including religious pilgrimages to holy sites in France and Spain. Pat is survived by her husband, Bill; her three children, Lynn, Brian and Bill; and her four grandchildren, Camille, Joey, Adam and Max. The funeral will be at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 9 at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Fullerton. A viewing will be held Thursday, December 8th from 4:00 PM to 8:00PM. The Rosary will be at 7:00 PM both at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary, Fullerton. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary