In Passing: Penelope Ruth Williams

By Montecito Journal   |   May 6, 2021

Penelope Ruth Williams, daughter of Virginia Lee Mosher and Arthur Powell Williams, has passed away. A long-time resident of Montecito, Penelope owned and operated some of Santa Barbara’s most well-known and renowned restaurants, including Penelope’s which drew national acclaim and was voted one of California’s top fifty restaurants, The Harbor Restaurant located on Stearns Wharf, the bar-lounge Pepper’s, and the pub Gallagher’s, both on State Street. After many years in the business, Penelope transitioned to a career in real estate during which she oversaw the sale of several of Montecito’s premier estates. 

Penelope is the granddaughter of oil pioneer Samuel Barlow Mosher, founder of Signal Oil Company and owner of Dos Pueblos Ranch, and later, the Dos Pueblos Orchid Company, which by the 1960s became known as the world’s largest orchid and carnation farm. 

Penelope had a charitable nature and gave many efforts to support the Santa Barbara Zoo where she served on the Board of Directors and oversaw the planning of their annual Zoofari Ball. 

Penelope has spent the last two decades living in Costa Rica, where she again embarked on a career in real estate while remaining closely tied to the restaurant community in the small enclave of her home base of Potrero/Flamingo. 

Penelope is survived by her three siblings, Samuel, Megan, and Barlow, and her three children, Capucine Hoybach, Chelsey Santry, and Courtney Matthews.

 

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