Patricia Ann Culley (née McAfee) of Santa Maria passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital at the age of 78.

Born on April 13, 1948 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Pat grew up in Glendale, California.

She earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Humboldt State University, and worked as a dedicated Registered Nurse.

Though she retired formally, Pat never truly stopped practicing her profession. She spent decades compassionately caring for family, friends and neighbors, accompanying them to medical appointments, researching conditions, and ensuring they received the best possible care.

She provided loving, hands-on support for her own parents in their later years, including caring for her mother through Alzheimer’s with grace and devotion.

Pat and her husband Frank relocated to Santa Maria in the early 1980s, where they built and operated Ever-Ready Electric.

She was known throughout her life as an incredibly selfless person who was always focused on helping others.

A consummate hostess and gifted cook, Pat created memorable holiday meals and made everyone feel welcome in her home. She was an attentive listener, and someone who could “depose” anyone with her thoughtful questions — all in service of helping them.

She was the proud and loving wife of Frank D. Culley for many decades, and the best mother imaginable to her daughter Elizabeth Ann Cain (née Culley). Pat took immense joy in Elizabeth’s accomplishments as an attorney and was her greatest champion.

She also cherished her extended family, maintaining warm connections with relatives in Nova Scotia, Canada, through cards and thoughtful gestures.

Pat faced the challenges of Parkinson’s disease with remarkable strength and determination. She is now at peace, free from pain, and reunited with loved ones who went before her, including her mother and father Ann and Lyle McAfee, and her two brothers David and Jeff McAfee.

She is survived by her husband Frank D. Culley of Santa Maria; daughter Elizabeth Ann Cain (Jacob); and many dear friends and family members whose lives she touched.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 at the Chapel at Santa Barbara Cemetery, followed by a reception at Harry’s Plaza Café in Santa Barbara.

Pat will be deeply missed for her boundless love, generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to family. Her legacy of kindness and care lives on in everyone she helped and everyone who loved her.