Maureen White, who was buried July 26, on what would have been her 100th birthday, moved to Santa Barbara in 1980. She and her husband, Bernie, had moved out to California from Ohio eight years earlier, but it wasn’t until Santa Barbara that they found their place here.
They bought a house in Hope Ranch, being beach people, and were enchanted with the place. The first spring they arrived, they went walking with their new puppies and were greeted by various neighbors with the news that “The monarchs are back!” The Whites, who hadn’t yet noticed the butterflies, found nothing surprising about the fact that whatever reigning monarchs were left in the world would also seek out Hope Ranch for their informal seats!
While Bernie continued to commute to Palm Springs, where his business was, Maureen threw herself into community life and activities. A former English teacher, she was honored to be selected for the Grand Jury that investigated the juvenile justice system. She also joined the Women’s Board at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and eventually served as chair.