Tag archives: obituary

Rita Beth Moya: December 24, 1949 – July 3, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   July 23, 2024

Rita Beth Moya, corporate and health foundation executive, advisor and philanthropist, passed away peacefully July 3, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Montecito, California, at age 74. She was loved by all who knew her for her grace, generosity, intelligence, humility, and character.  Rita was born to Paul David Becker and […]

Jerry Oshinsky: July 12, 1942 – April 9, 2024
By David Oshinsky   |   June 25, 2024

Jerry Oshinsky, known professionally as one of the true titans of insurance coverage law, passed away on April 9, 2024, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. I was privileged to work with Jerry at the very end of his life – because I am also a lawyer, sure, but mostly because I have the good […]

Barbra Rudvall Schutte: November 6, 1926 – May 30, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   June 11, 2024

Barbra Rudvall Schutte, born November 6, 1926, in Fresno California, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2023, in Montecito, California Robin had a very full life with many accomplishments. She was a woman ahead of her time, who was gifted in so many ways. Born in Fresno California, she moved after college to San Francisco […]

Jerry Dean Springer: August 05, 1935 – May 12, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   June 4, 2024

Jerry Dean Springer, 88, beloved husband of Julia, father to Kurt, Jill, and Amy, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024, at Serenity House in Santa Barbara.  Born in Reeve Township, Iowa, the fourth of six children, Jerry attended many different schools before finally settling in Carpinteria in middle school. After his itinerant childhood during […]

Philip Glen Beaubien
By Montecito Journal   |   April 30, 2024

Philip Glen Beaubien safely departed this life March 24, 2024, in Santa Barbara, California surrounded by family and friends with his wife, Gillian Christie, at his side.  Phil was a classical intellect and philosopher, who read voraciously from Will Durant to Thomas Paine to Omar Khayyam, but it was this quote from Phil’s literary hero, […]

Alfred Earl Hayward: September 2, 1936 — December 31, 2023
By Montecito Journal   |   April 30, 2024

A fourth generation Californian, Alfred “Fred” Earl Hayward was born on September 2, 1936, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. He attended Laguna Blanca at the Hope Ranch campus and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1954, ultimately matriculating from Claremont McKenna College (Business / Economics) in 1958. Significantly, Fred was elected class […]

Diana Basehart: May 29, 1934 – April 12, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   April 30, 2024

Our community mourns the passing of an icon…  Diana Basehart, longtime animal activist, actress, sculptor, and mother passed away on April 12 at Cottage Hospital surrounded by family and friends.  She was born May 29th, 1934, in London, England. Daughter of Edward and Gwenyth Lotery. In 1939 the family fled to New York to escape […]

Toni V. Fox: 9/25/1947 – 8/20/2023
By Montecito Journal   |   April 2, 2024

Our beloved Toni passed away on August 20, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with melanoma. She is fondly remembered by family and friends for her warmth, contagious smile, and vivacious personality.  Toni V. Fox was born in Los Angeles to Vance and Carole Basler and was one of three children with an older […]

David A Morley: 12/31/1939 – 2/3/2024
By Montecito Journal   |   April 2, 2024

The dates above are merely the frame of Dave’s life on earth. It is what he invested in that small dash in-between that has had a lasting impact on the lives of those of us who knew him, and what we will remember about him. This brief recount of his life serves only as a […]

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 […]

Lillian Pierson Lovelace: September 9, 1927 – January 16, 2024
By Montecito Journal   |   February 13, 2024

Lillian Pierson Lovelace, 96, wife, mother, and gracious philanthropist, died at her home in Montecito on Tuesday, January 16, herfamily announced.  Born September 9, 1927, in Los Angeles, CA, Lillian Claire Pierson grew up in Santa Monica, the youngest child of George Mercer Pierson and Rena Waltz Pierson. She attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]