Doris Stitz “Dodie” Medved: May 13, 1937 – May 19, 2026

Doris Stitz “Dodie” Medved of Montecito, CA, passed away on the morning of May 19, 2026, at her home by the side of her son, Lyle. She was 89 years old.

Doris was born on May 13^th, 1937, in Preeceville, Saskatchewan, Canada to Jewish Eastern European immigrant parents Louis David Ari and Sophie Stitz. She was the second of three children, flanked by sisters Rose “Rosie” and Marylin “Mimi” Stitz. The family lived in Hazedell, Saskatchewan, and then moved to Springside, Saskatchewan. The family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, when Doris was nine years old.

Doris was a dedicated Registered Nurse (RN). She did her training in Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Canada. She was also a devoted mom and a very active member of the Santa Barbara Jewish Community, including administering The Harry Kirsch Scholarship here at Congregation B’nai Brith for several years.

Doris’s nursing career began in 1960 at the Children’s Aid Society in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her future brother-in-law Dr. Sam Muchnik introduced her to Dr. Arnold Medved around 1962 or 1963. They began dating and wed on Groundhog’s Day February 2, 1964. They lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, except for the two years when Dr. Medved finished up his residency at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Montreal, Quebec, where Dr. Medved conducted research in Dermatology for McGill University. In September 1974, the Medved family moved to their current residence in Montecito, CA.

Doris went back to school to receive her Associate’s Degree from Santa Barbara City College in 1985 in Political Science and then her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) from Cal State Northridge in 1987. She worked for the Visiting Nurses Association as a liaison between Cottage Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and Goleta Valley Hospital for several years until she became ill with cancer and had to retire. She later received her nursing public health certificate.

Doris was always an active volunteer, including here in Santa Barbara. She was passionate about advocating, educating, and providing mental resources for all. She and her husband Arnold established an Educational Fund through the Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center to teach sixth graders about mental illness, a program still used by some schools in the Santa Barbara County School system. 

Doris served as the President of the Parent Teacher Student Association at Santa Barbara High School in the mid to late ‘80s. In 1987, she established the After Prom, to give the students a safe place to hang out once the prom ended and is still in operation today.

The nonprofit CALM (Child Abuse Listening and Meditation) was near and dear to Doris’s heart. She spent numerous hours volunteering and received the Claire Miles Award in 2016. She was most gratified to receive it. 

Doris is survived by her husband Dr. Arnold Medved, sons Paul and Lyle, daughter Leanne, daughter-in-law Rachel, son-in-law Matthew Pritchett and grandchildren Matthew and Hannah. She will be remembered for her impeccable sense of style, fun loving spirit, generosity, wonderful sense of humor, and for leaving the world a better place than when she arrived.