Patricia “Pat” Jane Gurney, 75, born January 12, 1951 in Sonora, California, passed away March 11, 2026 at her residence in Tuolumne, California. Patricia Gurney’s life has been steeped in history, drama and the arts. She was the 4th generation of Tuolumne pioneering families, involved in mining, railroads and lumber. Pat’s personal history is varied and fascinating. She is the daughter of Jim and Pat Gurney and sister Linda and Marsha, who graduated from Summerville Elementary and high school class of 1969. She received a B.A. and teaching credentials from the University of California, Davis in Drama, Art and English in 1973.
Pat’s earliest career was in the theatre world of San Francisco as an artist at ACT and the Pacific Conservatory. One of her fondest memories was working with John Lithgow in “Same Time, Next Year”. She left the theatre to teach her passion for drama, art and English at Downey, Sonora & Summerville high schools and Waterford middle school for over 15 years.
In retirement, she helped serve as the Tuolumne City Museum Manager of of Collections and on the Board. Her expertise and dedication to Tuolumne showed in the many displays and collections she curated and cataloged. Pat continued her passion for art through water color painting, art classes and viewing art exhibits.
Quiet, with a sense of humor and appreciation for life’s art and ironies she enjoyed good music, food, drink, family history and luck at the casino!
In remembrance of Pat please donate to: Tuolumne City Memorial Museum (TCMM, Inc), PO Box 1174, Tuolumne, CA 95379
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 2:30 PM at Terzich & Wilson Cremation-Funeral Home, 225 E. Rose Ave at Lyons Street in Sonora, California. Interment will be in Carters Cemetery in Tuolumne, California
