Tag archives: in remembrance

John “Jack” Kerr Wilson: August 29, 1937 – February 25, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   March 26, 2024

John “Jack” Kerr Wilson, born on August 29, 1937 in New Jersey to John and Elizabeth Wilson, passed away on February 25, 2024. He leaves a legacy filled with laughter, steadfastness, and a deep love for his Scottish heritage. Jack, known for his friendly demeanor, hospitality and exceptional humor, made a significant impact on many.  […]

Cynthia Impey Nolen : April 18, 1933 – February 27, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   March 19, 2024

Cynthia I. Nolen, a lover of dogs, birds, books, and gardens passed away peacefully at Casa Dorinda in Montecito, California on February 27, 2024. A self- proclaimed “collector” of plants, her gardens and landscape designs continue to inspire around the U.S. Anyone who knew Cynthia was aware that she never left the house without dog […]

Leo (Lee) Artman : January 1, 1947 – February 9, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   February 27, 2024

With a life lived fully, we bid farewell to Leo (Lee) Artman, a remarkable soul whose presence graced our lives in countless ways. Lee ascended peacefully on February 9, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Heidi, and family and friends, leaving a legacy of love, kindness, and joy that will continue to resonate with all those […]

Sharon Brown Bevan: January 26, 1932 – October 28, 2023
By Tim Buckley   |   February 6, 2024

Sharon (Sherry) Bevan’s legacy of light and love came to a beautiful close on October 28th, 2023, at home in Casa Dorinda surrounded by her loving family. A private family ceremony will be held January 26, 2024, at Santa Barbara Cemetery. Sherry was a rare Mayflower descendant and fourth-generation Californian. In 1923, her parents built […]

Maryan Schall’s Celebration of Life
By Montecito Journal   |   February 6, 2024

Friends of Maryan Schall are invited to join her family in a celebration of her life on April 18th at 4:30 pm at Birnam Wood Country Club. Seating is limited, so please RSVP at: celebratemaryan@gmail.com.  

Remembering Susan Rosas
By Richard Mineards   |   February 6, 2024

On a personal note, I mark the move to more heavenly pastures of Susan, wife of pianist and entertainer Gil Rosas, at the age 86 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Gil, 88, and Susan, a former model and artist-illustrator, were married for 49 years, spending the final chapter of her colorful life at […]

Dick Meyn Passes
By Richard Mineards   |   January 30, 2024

I also remember Richard “Dick” Meyn, who left us last month at the age of 94. A New Yorker, Dick studied at Parsons School of Design in Manhattan and moved to Santa Barbara in 1954 after studying at the Sorbonne in Paris. He and two colleagues established Byars, Alexander and Meyn – a successful interior […]

Remembering Alfredo Arroyo
By Richard Mineards   |   January 23, 2024

On a personal note, I mark the passing of Alfredo Arroyo, longtime general manager of Café del Sol, the popular eatery owned by the late Jack and Emilie Sears by the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, who has died at the age of 62. Alfredo went on to manage Joe’s Café on State Street and the […]

Maryan Strathy Schall: September 10, 1930 – January 2, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   January 16, 2024

“Who can turn the world on with her smile…?” Those of us of a certain age hear those lyrics and immediately think of the theme song to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. We propose those words could fit just as nicely as the theme to the life of Maryan Strathy Schall, who turned the world […]

Colleen Kirst: September 14, 1924 – December 21, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   January 16, 2024

Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Colleen Kirst passed peacefully into heaven on December 21, 2023, at the age of 99. A brilliant, beautiful woman inside and out, Colleen devoted her life to God, family, country, and community. Colleen’s life history is a classic American story of faith and hard work resulting in success, but she […]

Karen Louise Morley: April 25, 1953 – December 13, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   January 16, 2024

Karen Louise Morley, of Santa Barbara, went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2023. In recent years, she had fought a long and often painful battle with ocular melanoma, but in her last weeks and days in this world she was peacefully surrounded by family and friends in the light and comfort of […]

In Memoriam
By MJ Readers and Staff   |   January 2, 2024

Irma Jurkowitz Irma Jurkowitz – a local philanthropist and dear wife of husband Morrie Jurkowitz – had been a resident of Montecito for more than 50 years, and in that time quietly made a lasting mark on the community she loved. The private Jurkowitz Family Foundation is a funding source for various charity projects, and […]

Keith Roger Austin: May 11, 1944 – September 22, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   December 19, 2023

Keith Roger Austin, beloved father and grandfather, entrepreneur, traveler, lover of life, and rock ‘n’ roller, passed away on September 22, 2023, at the age of 79, after a short battle with cancer. Keith, still working in his studio, listening to vinyl records and was on air with his radio show The Rock Files, doing […]

Frank Davis Umanzio: September 10, 1934 – December 7, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   December 19, 2023

Frank Davis Umanzio was born on September 10, 1934, in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Pasquale and Felicia Umanzio, and passed from this life on December 7, 2023, at age 89. Frank and his beautiful wife Jean met in Medford, Massachusetts, in 1956 and married in 1957, living happily together for 66 years.  In 1974, Frank […]

Reuben Walker Eliyahu Smith: May 17, 1987 – November 6, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   November 28, 2023

As we bid farewell to a soul who embraced life with an extraordinary fervor, we mourn the passing of Reuben Walker Eliyahu Smith. His departure leaves an indelible void, and we reflect on the poignant words from one of his own poems, asking the profound question: “Did you love this world of ours the best […]

Donnie Carolan: May 28, 1957 – October 18, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   November 28, 2023

Donnie Carolan, 66, of Santa Barbara, California, passed away on October 18, 2023. He was born on May 28, 1957, in Morristown, New Jersey. Donnie was a passionate individual who had a deep love for music. He was actively involved in various choirs such as the Master Chorale and the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir. Donnie’s […]

Remembering Mary Conrad
By Richard Mineards   |   November 14, 2023

On a personal note, I mark the move to more heavenly pastures of Mary Conrad, widow of the late writer and artist Barnaby Conrad, at the age of 88. Born into a prominent family in Pasadena, she was an accomplished horsewoman and avid tennis player, enjoying the game for most of her long life. After […]

Remembering Marilyn McMahon
By Richard Mineards   |   November 7, 2023

To the Rockwood Woman’s Club for a Celebration of Life of the late Santa Barbara News-Press writer Marilyn McMahon, a former colleague and friend, who died in August aged 93, just two weeks before the historic daily, for which she’d written for half a century, declared bankruptcy. Jerry Roberts, former editor of the newspaper, noted […]

Piper Laurie Remembered
By Richard Mineards   |   October 31, 2023

On a personal note, I mark the passing of veteran actress Piper Laurie, who died at her Los Angeles home aged 91. Laurie, who received three Oscar nominations and a won a Golden Globe for the TV series Twin Peaks, co-starred in the opening performance of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music of the Ensemble […]

Remembering Irene Hymanson
By Richard Mineards   |   October 3, 2023

On a personal note, I remember philanthropist and longtime Casa Dorinda resident Irene Hymanson, who has moved to more heavenly pastures at the age of 81. Irene was the daughter of violinist William Hymanson, a member of the Music Academy faculty from 1959to 1969. After living and working in Los Angeles as a paralegal, she […]