Remembering Solvang neighbors: Recent obituaries
Read through obituaries from Santa Ynez Valley News
Luis Garfias Perez, born August, 07, 1921 in Ciudad Hidalgo Michoacán, Mexico; went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November, 04, 2019.
He lived a blessed and fulfilled life of 98 years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and mother of their 16 children, Maria Concepcion Lopez de Garfias in 1996.
Luis is survived by 12 children, 36 grandchildren, and 41 great-grandchildren.
He left this earth a faithful husband to his wife and children whom he will continue to love for all eternity.
A resident of the Santa Ynez Valley since 1967, Luis made his home in Buellton CA.
He taught himself to play the guitar and enjoyed being an active member of the Club de Guadalupe and the Choirs of the Old Mission Santa Inez and La Purisima Church.
Luis was a self-taught man of great wisdom and intellect. In his younger years he peacefully fought for his faith through his public participation with the Synarchist movement in Mexico.
Luis, a man of highest integrity and conviction, with a great love for our Lord Jesus Christ will be dearly missed by many.
Consumato est.
A viewing and Rosary prayers will be held at the Old Mission Santa Ines on Tuesday November 12th from 6:00pm until 9:00pm.
Funeral Mass will be at the Old Mission Santa Ines on Wednesday November 13th at 11:00 am with burial following at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard.
Loper Funeral Chapel, Directors
Conner Ruben Graciano, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 27, 2019 and went home to be with the Lord at the age of 15.
Born on July 24, 2004 in Santa Barbara to beloved parents Ruben and Janeen Graciano. He grew up in Solvang with sisters Andrea and Samantha. Conner was an amazing son, brother, and friend to all. Growing up, he loved spending time with his dad, going fishing, building tree houses, and playing outside with their dog Jack. With his family, he enjoyed camping, swimming, going to soccer games, watching movies at the drive-in, and large family gatherings for birthday parties and holidays. He spent summers and winter breaks with his family at his grandparent's home in Grants Pass, Oregon. The summertime was spent swimming in the Rogue River, rafting, jet skiing, and playing with cousins. The wintertime was filled with ice skating, sledding, and building snowmen.
Conner attended the First Baptist Church of Solvang since birth. Here, he enjoyed Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Christmas parade floats, potlucks, and harvest festivals. He accepted the Lord into his heart in second grade, but because of his shy nature he wasn't baptized until 2018, where he publicly conveyed his belief that God was in his heart and was baptized by his friend and pastor, Bob Rush.
Conner went to Solvang Elementary school, where he graduated from eighth grade in June and had begun attending the Santa Ynez Valley High School in August. Conner was known by his friends for being caring, funny, and cheerful with a bright smile. He always invited friends to his house, where he and his family would welcome them with open arms.
Conner is survived by his parents, Ruben and Janeen; his sisters Andrea and Samantha; his maternal grandparents, David and Sheila Petersen of Solvang; his paternal grandparents, Adolfo and Irene Graciano of Santa Maria; his maternal great-grandparents, Joe and Willa Mashburn of Buellton; as well as, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
His Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Solvang at 11:00 am. First Baptist Church is located at 2667 Janin Way, Solvang. The Graciano Family would like to thank the community for their outpouring of love and support during this very difficult time.
“For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Written with love by cousin Jamie Mathews
The Santa Barbara community lost a beloved local treasure with the passing of Pamela J. Webber on October 21, 2019, at the age of 88. Pam was a pillar of the hospitality community and contributed to countless local causes and preservation organizations. A pioneering businesswoman, she worked her way up from hotel manager to hotel owner—becoming the decorated CEO of Santa Barbara Hotel Group, a family-run collection of five distinctive properties. She remained actively engaged in the company and community throughout her three-year battle with cancer.
Born in Plymouth, England on November 23, 1930, Pam grew up during World War II. She emigrated to the United States in 1956 with her husband David Webber. They settled in Santa Barbara, where Pam's career as a hotelier began as manager of the 12-room Hacienda Motel. Hospitality was the family's calling. In 1962, they became co-owners of the Peppertree Motor Inn and purchased the Encina Lodge seven years later. In the 1990s, they added Brisas Del Mar Inn by the Beach, Inn by the Harbor and Lavender Inn by the Sea to their collection, forming the Santa Barbara Hotel Group.
Beyond being a hands-on hotelier and loving mother, Pam shared her boundless energy and sharp intelligence with the community through her nonprofit service. She was the first female ever to sit on the board of the Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce. She co-founded Looking Good Santa Barbara and led the effort to create Santa Barbara's Scenic Drive. An avid equestrian, she was Master of the Third Field of the Santa Ynez Valley Hounds and was active in the Los Padres and Hope Ranch trails associations.
Pam's service and dedication have been recognized by countless organizations over her lifetime. Honors include the prestigious Best Western's Chairman's Legacy Award, the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation's Rock Star Life Achievement Award, Visit Santa Barbara's Tourism Star and Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce's Businesswoman of the Year.
Pam is survived by her children Jeanette and Philip Webber, granddaughter Erielle Webber and sister Sandy Jones of England. The Celebration of Life for Pamela J. Webber will be held Saturday, November 23, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Marks-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos.
