Mary Ann Prince

Born to William Henry Replogle and Ellen Ward Freeman in Mercy Hospital Bakersfield Ca. One brother Bill Replogle. Attended Roosevelt Elementary, Garces and Kern Union High school, and Bakersfield College. As a young adult, Mary enjoyed classical guitar, piano music, and the latest hits. She avidly collected 33 records and Postage Stamps. In 1953, she enlisted in US Navy where she studied nursing. In 1954 She met and married Arthur Michael Elkins, Sr. and they had 3 Children- Joyce Ann, Arthur Michael Jr, and Beth Suzanne. In 1956 and after childbirth, she left the Navy and moved home to Bakersfield, as her marriage dissolved. As a single parent, she worked at Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aide and US Postal Service from 1966- retirement. During that time, she raised 3 children single handedly, sometimes working 14-18 hour days. After official retirement, she worked for the high school district cafeteria, just so she could get Social Security Retirement Income.

After raising her children to adulthood and while working at the US Post Office downtown, she married her 2nd husband and love of her life, Joyce (Jay) Prince in 1977. Together they enjoyed many hobbies such as Gambling in Laughlin and Vegas, Photography, computering, boating and fishing, and rock collecting, cutting and polishing. They were members of the KC Rock and Mineral Society. Mary was an avid reader and had complete book collections of her favorite authors. She even owned a bookstore for a short period. She enjoyed On-line Bingo, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, crocheting, knitting, and tatting - creating Barbie doll clothes, doilies, tablecloths, sweaters, scarfs and Afghans. She was a Crazy Cat lover, which she passed on to Jay. Mary and Jay were homebodies and did not socialize much outside of family and Church. Mary had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved a good Joke (which was good, since Jay told many jokes). Mary and Jay were very thoughtful of one another, almost always together, always laughing, and they routinely wrote love notes and poems to each other. This meant so much to her children, as she had always sacrificed to raise them alone.

She was a gentle soul who loved God and was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. Most recently, St Augustine’s in Lamont. Special thanks to Father John for his faithful devotion to Mary. She is preceded in death by Mother and Father - William and Ellen Replogle, Brother - Bill Replogle, Husband - Jay Prince, Daughter Joyce Elkins, Stepdaughters – Sylvia Jones and Norma Singh, and Great Granddaughter Nora. She is survived by a son - Arthur Elkins Jr, Daughter and Son-in-law Beth and John Hustead, Grandsons Josh Elkins and family, Richard Guerrero, and Niece Diane Elliott and family. Stepchildren David Prince and wife Jody with daughters Francis and Tracy and Danny Prince and daughter Daniela, and several grand and great grandchildren.

Special thanks to Dr. Nelson Madrilejo, Richard Guerrero her grandson, and caregiver for 10 years, caregivers at Summits Hills Memory Care, and especially Hoffman Hospice where her many caregivers eased her passing with dignity, love, and respect. May her gentle soul rest in peace!

Please help us celebrate Mary's life and her passing into the arms of Jesus Christ by joining her family and friends on October 25, 2022 at 9 AM (doors open at 8:30 AM) at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd. Bakersfield for Chapel and Graveside Services. A reception to follow at Hodels Restaurant at 5917 Knudson Dr., Bakersfield at 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Prince family.