Patsy Cutler

03/08/1941 – 01/23/2024

Patsy Cutler passed away on Jan. 23, 2024. She was born Patsy Jean Snow in Bakersfield, Calif., on March 8, 1941.

Patsy’s early years were spent on a farm in Buttonwillow, Calif., a small town west of Bakersfield. Her parents, Martin and Dollie Snow, were primarily cotton farmers, but they also raised chickens along with a few cats, hound dogs and a horse.

Patsy was very fond of dogs and, along with her faithful dog Puppy, she would often go off into the desert next to the farm, barefoot, fording small streams created by recent rains. Solitary trips like this for a nine- and ten-year-old were not a concern to her parents. She could swim the canal, which was the biggest hazard, so her sojourns were ignored. But it portended the independence and bravery that signified Patsy’s life.

Patsy was born with what most people would classify as a handicap. Her left arm extended no farther than a few inches below her elbow. Her older sister Trecy remembers her mother in tears when she brought Patsy home from the hospital after her birth. But her parents made a pact that they would treat her no differently than any of the other children because she needed to be strong and learn to rely on herself.

And rely on herself she did. In her almost 83 years, she married, raised two sons, rode horses, bred show dogs, backpacked the Sierra Nevada Mountains, hiked the Grand Canyon, hiked the Rocky Mountains and always supported herself financially.

One of Patsy’s profound accomplishments was her ability to sing. Her parents recognized this and provided singing lessons when she was in high school in Arroyo Grande, Calif., where they moved after retiring from farming. Singing was primarily a hobby, used for entertaining family and friends, but all agreed that she possessed a considerable talent.

Later, Patsy developed her innate artistic ability and took art classes at a local community college. Her son displays a number of her works in pencil and pastel in his home.

After a genealogical search, Patsy found out that her family on her father’s side were direct descendants from the Mayflower. She was able to join the Mayflower Society as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution based on two ancestors who fought in the American Revolution. The family is proud that her efforts paved the way for others who would like to prove their ancestry.

Although Patsy spent a few years in Prescott, Ariz., her primary home was in Carpinteria, Calif. It was there that she forged a successful career in real estate.

Patsy is survived by her sons, Russell Cutler and wife Nina, and Corey Cutler and wife Andria, along with three grandchildren: Nolan Cutler and wife Jessica, Taylor Cutler and wife Haley, and Noel Cutler and husband Bert. Additionally, she has two great-grandchildren: Garrett Cutler and Cruz Cutler. Of her eight original siblings, she is survived by her sisters Trecy Carpenter, Vona Snow and Wanda Porter.

A private funeral will be held.