Jeanne Marie Duncan
Jeanne Marie was born in Boston and grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Vacations were spent in Canada where her parents’ families had settled from Scotland. The family later moved to California, to Los Gatos and then to Santa Barbara. Jeanne graduated from Dos Pueblos High, and like many young dreamers of the 1970s, she hit the road for adventure. Her journey took her north to Berkeley, and Oregon, east to New York, west to Texas, then back to California near Lake Arrowhead in the town of Blue Jay, before returning to Santa Barbara. Although the road trip may have had more misadventures than pure adventure, she shared these trials over the years, always with humor and self-awareness.
Once back in Santa Barbara, Jeanne lived an eclectic life, working in art-related jobs and volunteering at the Braille Institute. Jeanne was outgoing and readily connected with people, especially eccentric characters. She had a passion for collecting and sharing curios found at yard sales and thrift shops, all the while engaging with fellow browsers. A gifted fiber artist, Jeanne knit sweaters, scarves, and hats in intricate patterns and color blends. While she often lamented how few “sweater weather” days there are in Santa Barbara, that never stopped her from creating warmth with her hands. Her home and garden also reflected Jeanne’s Bohemian spirit — whimsical spaces filled with flowering plants, art, lights, and quirky figurines. Her beloved cat, Kate, was always nearby.
Jeanne endured years of chronic back pain, and in the last year, severe gastrointestinal infections. She passed away July 17, 2025, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. Jeanne is survived by her brother Bill Duncan, his wife Nancy, her sister Margaret Duncan, partner Jeff Waters, and by her son Aaron, with whom she reunited years after his adoption, his wife Jill, and cherished grandson August. From the moment they met, there was no doubt August was hers, their matching curls said it all. A celebration for Jeanne is being planned and will be announced.
