Candice Lee “Candy” Dockstader

AVOCA – Candice Lee “Candy” Dockstader passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday evening, August 2, 2026, just days before her 77th birthday. During her final week, Candy was surrounded by the love of family and friends who came to visit, share memories, and simply be by her side.

Candy was born on August 8, 1949, in North Hornell, New York. Her life would take her far from home and eventually bring her back again, completing a journey filled with family, service, love, and a wonderful second chapter.

In the early 1980s, Candy moved to Central Texas with her two boys, Dan and Rob. Years later, she returned to upstate New York, where life brought her back together with her high school sweetheart, Carl. The two reconnected, fell in love again, and married, beginning a beautiful new chapter together, adding Carl’s daughters Danyelle and Nicole to the family.

Candy and Carl built a life surrounded by family, with grandchildren, nieces, and nephews nearby. In a fitting turn of events, they even purchased the home Candy had admired as a child—a place that became part of the life and family she treasured.

Caring for others was not only part of Candy’s personality; it was also her life’s work. She devoted more than 40 years to a career in social work, spending decades helping people and families through some of life’s most difficult moments.

Those who knew Candy will also remember her unmistakable wit and sense of humor. She had a way of inserting levity into nearly every conversation, often with a perfectly timed comment that could catch you off guard and make you laugh.

Candy’s greatest legacy is found in the people she loved and the family she helped create.

Candy was preceded in death by her husband and high school sweetheart, Carl, and Parents, Henry and Sally Cleeves.

Candy is survived by her two sons, Dan Kellogg and wife Mary, Rob Kellogg and wife Peyton, brothers Bob Cleeves and wife Barbara, Bill Cleeves and wife Judy, the perfect sister Cathy Hopkins and husband David, grandchildren, Jack and Jensen, Carl’s daughters Nicole and Danyelle and their families and many pretty awesome nieces and nephews.

There are no calling hours or services planned.

The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, Avoca, is honored to assist Candy’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Candy are welcome below or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & Desanto Funeral Home.