obituaries
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Cveta Gunning
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Cveta Gunning (Nedeljkovich) passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on October . She was born in Denver, CO, on March , , the only child of Alexander and Louise (Wahler) Nedeljkovich. Her family moved to Los Angeles, CA when she was nine. She married her husband, Harry, in , and they moved to Santa Barbara in . They were married for years, until his passing in . She had a fulfilling career at UC Santa Barbara that spanned years, retiring as the head of the Accounting Department’s payroll division. Her twin grandchildren were born shortly thereafter, and she spent the next few years joyfully caring for them while their parents were working, as her mother had done for her when she was a young working mother. When those days were over, she and her dear friend, Mel Campbell, traveled and spent many happy times together for over years. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter-in-law, Christina. She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Linda, with whom she shared a special bond, her beloved sons and daughter-in-law, Mike, Steve and Lynn, and cherished grandchildren, Garrett and Jeaneal. Graveside services will be held at Goleta Cemetery on Friday, October , at a.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in her memory to Cottage Hospital, Serenity House or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, all of whom provided compassionate care and support to her and her family.
rying Dr. Blaine Braniff in , where they shared a joyful life. MaryLee was active with Hospice of Santa Barbara and served on the Board of the Museum of Natural History. MaryLee, or “ML” as her closest friends knew her, devoted her life to making people feel special and loved. She had a generous heart, a beautiful smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and always exuded cheerfulness. She made us all better people through her gift of friendship, and the selfless way she conducted her life. Her daily mission was to say something kind to a stranger. Her treasured hobbies were reading, mastering crossword puzzles, writing notes of thanks and love, playing golf and tennis, and traveling. MaryLee fought serious diseases, including cancer, and always conducted herself with courage and amazing grace. She spent her life as a devoted wife and mother, and her grandchildren brought her great joy. She had a true gift of letting each know how special they were. She was pre-deceased by her first husband, Bill Miller, at an early age. She is survived by her husband Blaine, siblings, Nancy (Bennett), Jerry Moore and Mark Moore; children, Jillian (Ron Cain), Robert Braniff (Susan), Kent Braniff (Tina), and Allison (Cees Molenaar); ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Our hearts are broken for losing such a remarkable soul. Her compassion and love will forever live in countless hearts, and we are sure she is looking down upon us and “loving us to pieces”. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History or Hospice of Santa Barbara. Or simply, follow her lead and pass on a kind word to a stranger. A private celebration of her life is planned.
Lawyer Referral Service. Terry also sat as a Small Claims Judge and taught Business Law courses at Santa Barbara City College. Terry held a lifetime teaching credential with the California Community Colleges. A sports enthusiast throughout his life, Terry was particularly fond of basketball, golf, and the University of Michigan football team. Terry made an astonishing seven holes-in-one in his lifetime. Terry was a true light. His humor and wit were boundless, as was his generosity, warmth, and passion for knowledge. Terry was a thoughtful and loyal friend to all. Terry married Marcia Manard in , and together they had three children. Terry was currently married to Pamela Skinner of Santa Barbara. Terry is survived by his wife, Pamela, his children, Joseph (Kristy) Lammers of Parker, CO, Clark (Erin) Lammers of Santa Barbara, and Lauren Lammers of Santa Barbara. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Luke Lammers and Jordan Lammers. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Lammers of Palm Springs, CA; sisters, Michele (Larry) Crogg of Mission Viejo, CA, and Pamela Stasunas of Temperance, MI; and brothers, Mark Lammers of Palm Springs, CA, Larry Lammers of Temperance, MI, and Michael (Debbie) Lammers of Milan, MI. Numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews also survive him. His father, Dr, Gerald P. Lammers, sister, Kathleen Lammers, and brother, Gerald P. Lammers, II, precede him in death. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held in the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on Thursday, October , at : p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements By McDermott-Crockett Mortuary
John Christian-Panama Bissell // – //
Terrence Lammers
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MaryLee Braniff
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Our beloved MaryLee (Moore) Braniff passed away peacefully at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California, on Tuesday, October , , surrounded by her loving family. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, on February , , to Bill and Annalee (Melby) Moore, MaryLee was the eldest of four children. Her mother’s Irish and Norwegian heritage is listed in the First Families of Arizona. MaryLee served as Vice President of West Phoenix High School her senior year and graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in Education. In college she was President of Gamma Phi Beta sorority. MaryLee taught school and enriched young lives, teaching kindergarten for over twenty-five years in Arizona and California. She moved to Santa Barbara after mar22
THE INDEPENDENT
Terrence (Terry) L. Lammers, , of Santa Barbara, California, passed away on October , . Terry was born on July , , in Toledo, Ohio, and was raised in Ida, Michigan. He was the fourth of eight children of Dr. and Mrs. Gerald P. Lammers. Terry attended Stanford University on a golf scholarship in the fall of and graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in . Choosing a legal career, Terry graduated law school from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, (now Seattle University School of Law) in . Terry moved to Santa Barbara that same year and established a General Law practice. He continued practicing law with an emphasis on Criminal and Family Law until his untimely death. Terry was involved with the Santa Barbara County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He served as past President of the “Children in the Middle” program, a mandated program for individuals involved in custody proceedings, and as past President of the Santa Barbara County
october 16, 2014
John was born on a Friday morning on // at Cottage Hospital. He passed away peacefully on a Wednesday evening on // at Cottage Hospital. John fought a courageous battle for one week to stay alive but in the end The Lord had a different plan and took him home. We are thankful that he is now free of all his earthly struggles. John was years old. He had a special name. His dad and mom were studying the book of John at bible study when he was born. His parents were saved and professed their Christian faith on // and baptized on //. They were blessed with John one year later on //. John himself was saved at the age of ten on //. As to the name of Panama, well that is where his dad and mom were born and they wanted a bit of this unique heritage to carry on. John was a sweet and gentle young man. He was truly a computer genius and learned everything on his own. He was the master of doing puzzles and loved computer games and pinball machines. He would spend hours trying to get a skateboard trick perfect. Whatever he found interesting he put all his heart into it. He loved to travel - particularly to the magic of Yosemite.
John leaves behind his father and mother (Steve and Anna Bissell), his brother (Rio), his sister (Sunday and Carl Rylander), his former brother-in-law (Mike and Stacy McCrory), nieces and nephews (Michaela, Ilan, Kiefer, Curren and Camille), his best friend (Wally Hecht), numerous aunts, an uncle and his grandmother. His father and mother offer their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Wright, Dr. Chen, Dr. Kearney, Dr. Erickson, Pastor J.B. Ficklin, Reverend Teena Grant, the staff in MICU and on South and all their dear friends and loving family whose support has been beyond belief. Timothy : “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” John Christian-Panama Bissell “Job well done.” Our sweet warrior is now at peace with The Lord.
Dane and Caden. She was always there for sporting events and school performances, beaming with pride and dispensing postgame hugs. She especially filled holidays with fun and celebration. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Tuesday, October , at a.m. The family will also hold a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dog Adoption and Welfare Group (D.A.W.G.). Marlene was preceded in by parents John and Helen Wasco of Latrobe. She is survived by her sister Joanne (and husband Russ) Hellein of Latrobe; and her daughter, Medeighnia (Peter) John Shute, all of Santa Barbara. Her “grand-dog” Branford will also miss her deeply.
Maggie Wilson
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Marlene Lentz
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Marlene Lentz died September , , after a courageous struggle with breast cancer. She was born March , , in Latrobe, PA, to John and Helen Wasco, who taught her to be independent, generous, and kind. She graduated in from Latrobe High School, where she was a majorette and was social and popular. She loved to dance and won dance contest for the “twist”. After high school she worked for Bell Telephone and then attended Seton Hill University before studying sociology at Ohio University. In she married fellow Latrobe native Daniel Lentz, a composer. In they had a daughter, Medeighnia, with whom Marlene would share a close lifelong bond. The young family lived briefly in Boston, spent a year abroad in Sweden, and then moved to Santa Barbara in . Marlene loved Santa Barbara and was active in the community from day one. She had a deep interest in the arts and was a frequent presence at the Public Library, Museum of Art, and UCSB Arts and Lectures. She was also a regular at Adult Ed, the Farmer’s Market, and the Montecito YMCA. Marlene worked as a manager for the Irving Laucks Foundation and the Mott Foundation, at Phoenix House, and later started Sunflower Services for senior care. She also worked the polls for elections. In Marlene met John Shute, a local fire captain, and they developed a long and loving relationship. Marlene loved all living things: plants, flowers, and all animals, especially dogs. She literally would not hurt a fly. With her bright blue eyes and beautiful smile, Marlene was a ray of sunshine in any room. She also loved to travel, and enjoyed many trips to Europe, Russia, and China. Above all, Marlene was a giver. She was the most selfless person any of us ever knew. She had a boundless circle of friends and was unfailingly generous with her time and attention. Her extensive volunteer work included the SB Humane Society and Downtown Organization. Marlene was a whirlwind, always in motion. But among all her interests, family was foremost. She was a devoted mother to Medeighnia and doting grandmother to
Our beloved Maggie left this world suddenly on September th, surrounded by her loving sisters while on vacation in Mendocino. She was celebrating her th birthday year and the arrival of her first grandson, Harrison. She left us while laughing & rejoicing in the goodness of her life, the richness of her friendships and love of her family. Maggie (Miller) was born in Los Angeles on May , , to Esther Beatrice (Poulsen) & David Lee Miller & grew up in LA & Orange counties. She was an engaging talkative child who became a vivacious caring adult, always serving others. She came to Santa Barbara County in , initially teaching pre-school, & became a cosmetologist, later teaching at both Lu Ross Academy & SBCC. She was a fixture in salons in Summerland & Montecito until her ‘retirement’ in . Some ‘special client’ friends stilled received her styling attention & nurturing. Maggie continued her service & care for people with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and was sworn as an officer of the court in to represent abused & neglected children in the court system. She created a very special & lasting relationship with her first young charge that went beyond advocacy and became a true friendship. Maggie loved travel adventures! She even went to Italy alone thinking she’d move there, before meeting & marrying James Wilson in . Their romance was epic (in certain circles) & together they explored Parisian flea markets, skied Park City, trekked jungles & Mayan ruins in Belize & Guatemala, drift-dived Cozumel, bare-boat chartered in the San Juan & Gulf Islands & ate their way through their favorite cities New Orleans, San Francisco & New York. They honeymooned in Hawaii & went back often to bask in the warm trade winds she loved. Maggie treasured her life, was devoted to her friends, cherished her family, and doted on her dogs. She is survived by her adoring husband, James; son, Graham Hartley; daughter-in-law, Claire Hartley; grandson, Harrison Hartley, mother, Esther Miller, sisters Laurie Miller, Leslie Vallejo, Liz Oakland; brothers, John & Dan Miller & many nieces & nephews. We will all miss her profoundly but will see her at heaven’s gate. Donations in Maggie’s name may be made to CASA @ www.sbcasa.org