Tag archives: in remembrance

Denny was a loving and proud father and grandfather, a joyful presence to his extended family, and a lively friend and storyteller to those that knew him. He was born and raised in California by a strong grandmother, a gregarious father, and a well-traveled mother during a very different age. His family and career made […]

John Joseph Macker, a longtime Montecito resident, beloved father, and Emmy and Peabody award-winning executive producer, passed away on July 26, 2022, at the age of 78. Before moving to Montecito in 1994, John lived a vibrant, Hollywood lifestyle working in television. He orchestrated television shows garnering 14 Emmys and served as the creator and […]

On a personal note, I remember Ivana Trump, a friend of many years and a former Upper Eastside neighbor, when I lived in Manhattan. Ivana, who died at her East 64th Street townhouse, opposite the home of the late Italian designer Gianni Versace, at the age of 73 was a partner at many social events, […]

Paul Wilt, Westmont professor emeritus of history, died June 23 at the age of 93. A memorial service will be held at Shoreline Community Church on Saturday, July 16, at 10 am. He is survived by his wife, Doris, and their four children: Tom, Marilyn (’74), Janet (’76), and Daniel (’84).  Paul taught mostly U.S. […]

William (Bill) Joseph Jones, a longtime resident of Montecito who enjoyed his family, fishing, and sailing, passed away peacefully in his sleep at age 89. Bill is remembered for his wide warm smile, strong core values, sense of humor, and passion for helping others. Anyone who dealt with him knew that his handshake was a […]

Helene Zalk Pollock was born on January 8, 1919, in Duluth, Minnesota. Her parents Estelle and Louis Zalk moved to Los Angeles in the early 1930s. Her father Louis found success in the early days of the steel industry and later as a business leader when he introduced theosophy to Southern California and co-founded the […]

Kirsten Marie Donnelly (née van Duinwyk) passed away at home on February 22, 2022 after an incredibly brave battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband Tom, son Dembelo, parents Susanne and Peter van Duinwyk, sisters Anne-Marie Tucker (Clark) and Lisa Aviani (James), and nieces and nephew, Alison and Chris Tucker, and Clara and Juliana […]

On a personal note, I remember Eleanor Van Cott, a longtime trustee and former president of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, who has just moved to more heavenly pastures at the age of 99.  A native of New York, Eleanor, best known for efforts to make our town’s University Club inclusive of women, worked for […]

“She never changed the Stars from their appointed courses,But she loved good men and she rode good horses.” April 23, 1927 – January 16, 2022 An Ode to MaxiOf a Southern belle I will tell, with charms that were swell,Who hailed from old Tennessee.With style and grace and a beautiful face,She came from a high […]

In a tribute to Ted Tedesco on his 90th birthday, his son David said, “Show me a man who does not like Ted Tedesco because I don’t believe it.” A tribute from a friend said he learned three things from Ted: “It’s important to carry on no matter what life throws at you, remember to […]

On a personal note, I mark the move to more heavenly pastures of Gordon Guy, longtime executive director of the 73-year-old nonprofit New House, a recovery center for men with alcohol and drug problems. The charity, which has three facilities in our Eden by the Beach, holds its annual fundraiser at the Hilton emceed by […]

Derek (“Derk”) Kenneth Hunter passed away peacefully February 19, 2022, at his home in Woodside, California, surrounded by his family. Born April 25, 1931, in San Marino, California, he was the son of Kenneth and Helen Hunter. He is predeceased by his wife, Fredricka (“Dricka”) Hunter, his daughter, Antonia (“Toni”) Hunter Breck, and his brothers, […]

On Monday, January 3, 2022, the world lost a thoughtful, principled, energetic, loyal, and loving man. John W. McIntyre’s passing will be felt by the many people whose lives he touched, but none more than his adoring wife and three admiring daughters who were by his side at their forever home in the hills of […]

Justin Bruce Forrester was born in Santa Barbara, California, on July 16, 1999 and passed away in Santa Barbara on February 22, 2022 at the young age of 22. Justin was a fun-loving and good-hearted young man who had family and many friends who loved and adored him. Justin attended Montecito Union School where he […]

DeAnna peacefully passed on the morning of January 30. Her partner of 18 years, Michaela Morgan, was by her side, and their “baby” fox terrier Chanel was at her feet. I have lost the love of my life… We never talked about her passing as we focused on living and celebrating the daily “wins” no […]

I reconnected with showbiz vets James Widdoes and Tim Matheson on the passing of Ivan Reitman, the prolific director and producer and founder of the wildly successful production company The Montecito Picture Company. All four of us (including Reitman) are connected through the National Lampoon, a magazine where I was once editor but which has […]

On a personal note, I remember Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman, who has died at the age of 75 at his Montecito home, formerly part of the legendary 70-acre El Mirador estate near Westmont College. Reitman first made his mark producing the irreverent college fraternity film National Lampoon’s Animal House with John Belushi in 1978. A […]

On a personal note, I remember Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBTQ rights, who died at his home in Cape Town aged 90. I met the Anglican Archbishop in 2011 at a reception at the beachfront Montecito home of the late Nancy Koppelman and found him unfailingly charming. […]