Patricia Tuepker

Patricia TuepkerTuepker, Patricia folder and obit

1956-2016

Patricia (Tricia) Nell McAnally Tuepker, 59, died July 14, 2016, in Oklahoma City surrounded by family and friends. Her courageous spirit and body fought an intense, extended battle with cancer, and although her heart remained strong and her cancer improved, her unstoppable and unwavering treatment commitment took a toll on her earthly body.

Tricia was born on September 8, 1956, the daughter of Monna McAnally and Clyde McAnally, in Stroud, Okla. Tricia was raised there and graduated from Stroud HS, where she loved being a Stroud Tiger cheerleader and formed many life-long friendships. After high school, she completed her LPN and moved to Oklahoma City, where she worked as a nurse for many years.

While Tricia enjoyed nursing tremendously, her true gift was mothering. After having two children, TaraLeigh Tuepker and Kye Tuepker, and moving to Edmond, she would semi-retire from nursing in order to spend more time with her family. However, Tricia helped fill in part-time for nursing and at Edmond Public Schools.

After her children were grown, Tricia returned to work full-time at Edmond Public Schools, where she was an administrative assistant and teacher’s aide and assistant, working mostly with special needs and autistic children, whom she affectionately called “my kids.”

While hundreds called her “Aunt” Tricia, or another one of her numerous nicknames, Tricia had special, strong and significant relationships with her many nieces, nephews and their children. Through nursing and beyond, she touched many hearts and souls and made life-long friends and relationships.

Tricia enjoyed spending time with family and friends, junking, cowboy boots and country dancing, concert going, theatre and performing arts performances, beach tripping and sports watching. Many of these activities led her on adventures everywhere from Las Vegas, Arizona and Texas to the North Carolina and Florida beaches and New York City. Of all trips she took, the most cherished included TaraLeigh and Kye, her extended family and her best girlfriends. Throughout her life, Tricia remained a proud Stroud Tiger and sports fan, and fiercely supported Thunder basketball, UFC, Sooner football and attended more than 100 rodeos.

In addition to her children, Tricia is survived by her sister Grace (King) and her husband Chuck Ellsworth of Cushing, Okla.; her brothers Elvin King and wife MinCha of Fayetteville, N.C., Byron King and wife Karen of Harrison, Ark., Jack McAnally of Davenport, Okla. and Joe McAnally and wife Amy of Oklahoma City, Okla.; 20 nieces and nephews and 26 great nieces and nephews. Tricia was preceded in death by her parents and one great-niece.

Tricia was widely known and loved for her nurturing, especially of children, her somewhat embellished but brilliant storytelling, her unwavering love and support of her children, family and friends and her ability to connect to, care about and laugh with (and at) the world. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m., Friday July 22, 2016 at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations in her honor to Special Olympics Oklahoma (www.sook.org), an organization that Tricia was proud to volunteer for and support.

19 thoughts on “Patricia Tuepker”

  1. Dave Walters

    Tricia added that extra touch of ‘Specialness’ to fb for me. With all the junk & garbage on fb she had a way of guiding people either thru it, or around it. I never got to meet Tricia face to face, but her strength in life & living it made me appreciate her to a degree that she won’t be forgotten. My Deepest Sympathy and Condolences to her Family and Friends.

  2. She was a treasure..a beautiful soul with a smile that would just dazzle you….and when Tricia laughed, boy you just had to laugh with her ! She was quirky, funny, tender and kind, honest and not afraid to tell you just how it was or ought to be… Tricia taught me something very important and that was trust…and I will never forget that gift she gave to me.
    I love you, FloozEe. More than all the chocolate in the world.
    Babs

  3. Susan Porter

    Tricia had the most amazing storytelling smile and brilliant dancing eyes as she spoke. I will miss her heart and compassion for others.

  4. Ben and Frieda Clark

    Beautiful obituary. Grace said it best, “Tricia was truly a Gem”. We so agree, not too many like her around. We will so miss her smile and her laugh. She always made us smile and we always looked forward to the times we could spend with her. I know you already know this Tara and Kye but you had a mom that was truly one of a kind! Loved her fistyness. God bring peace to all of the grieving family. Love all of you.

  5. Patrick Kane

    Tricia was a one of a kind gem in a world full of rocks. Having never personally met her was not a deterrent to the true friendship we found with each other. Kei and Tara, my deepest condolences to you and your entire family, but please take solace in knowing that there isn’t one of us who didn’t have the honor of meeting her to trade one hour with you to do so…she touched many hearts, even those she couldn’t reach. She will be missed dearly????

  6. Celena Ohley

    Tricia blessed my life as well as my family. She was always such a strong godly woman who was radiant! I had the honor of meeting and going out to dinner with Tricia and 2 other bEEs when I was in OK for my daughters graduation at Ft. Sill. Her infectious smile, laughter, support, and love will always be cherished in my heart. I will miss you dearly my friend ❤️

  7. Brenda Willis Lubeck

    “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade”
    Tricia truly lived by these words. I have a little desk plaque with this saying imprinted on it and it was given to me at Stroud High graduation by none other than Tricia McAnally

  8. Cindy Zelbst

    I was so blessed to have had Tricia in my life. I will be forever grateful for her great sense of humor, her laughter, and her wonderful smile. The times I spent with Tricia are absolutely, with a doubt, some of the very BEST times of my life. I am so thankful for the most precious memories that I have of her. What a shining example she was to all on how to live life to its fullest. Tara and Kye, you are in my constant thoughts as you say your final good-bye to your precious mother. She gave you all so many gifts, what a blessing. Sending you all hugs and love.

    Cindy Zelbst

  9. Debbie Barrett

    Sorry for your loss , my friend Judy posted this . Prayers for the family and as a country dancer we have lost several of our friends who have gone to meet Jesus and dancing in heaven .

  10. Chad Bianco

    Beautifully written. I feel so fortunate that I knew Tricia. She taught us all a lot about life. How important it is to live it to the fullest, never take any moment for granted and to spread love to those around you. I will always remember watching the OKC Marathon and UFC fights with Tricia. Though I only knew her for a short time, her fighting spirit and lust for life will live on and continue to inspire me and many others for the rest of our life. She will be missed, but never forgotten. I’m sorry Becky and I can’t be at the services today, TaraLeigh, but you will be in our thoughts and we are sending so many hugs your way. Stay strong, much love!

  11. Lauren Collins

    She was a great lady and I’ve had many many memories of her I will truly miss her

  12. Debbie Frith

    What a blessing to know and love Tricia and even more to be loved by her. Gosh I’m not ready to let you go my friend but I know we will meet again. You made this world so much brighter.

  13. Angel Flud

    I didn’t get to know you well, but I knew what a wonderful friend and blessing you were to my mother-in-law Donna. I know you will be greatly missed by her and many others. You were such a blessing to her.

  14. Debra Johnson

    I am writing to share that the love and light your beautiful Tricia’s gave in this life, have been so profound, that they have spread across the planet. I am an Australian, who came to know Tricia, firstly through our mutual respect for our countries’ military… but then I got to know her more as a person of incredible courage, resilience and love. Never did she fail to be an inspiration to all… especially me at a time, when I was mourning the loss (through cancer) of a family member and then, when friend was diagnosed. Tricia is one of those people, who in their own simple, but very special ways… the creator of a legacy of love that will live forever… in all those that ever had the profound pleasure of calling her a friend. Sincerest condolences to all those she loved, and the many more who loved her, and will miss her so terribly… until they see her again.

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