Patrice Frances Gateau, known better by her stage name, Pattycake, shuffled off this mortal coil at the age of 40 after a long battle with heart disease. According to her caregiver Pattycake went peacefully in her sleep. Friends commented that even at 40 she still had her good looks and keen sense of style. New York native, Pattycake resided in the Bronx, which she referred to as the Upper Upper East Side. She was a tireless supporter of progressive causes, most recently the battle over same-species marriage.

Pattycake loved life and enjoyed several hobbies, including playing on the monkey bars, staring at tourists, and sitting. In the summer she would spend hours in the sun, scratching herself and checking for bugs.

Pattycake was predeceased by her mother, Lulu, and her father, Kongo. Surviving Pattycake are her 10 children sired by four mates, including a pair of twins, Ngoma and Tambo, 10 half-siblings, whereabouts unknown, and at least one grandchild.

Pattycake-gorilla_2524371b