Lorraine Maxine Guevara-Villegas
Lorraine Maxine Guevara-Villegas departed from this world at the remarkable age of 92. After a full and eventful life, her physical body ultimately succumbed with her husband by her side.
She is survived by her husband, the love of her life for 64 years, Raymond Richard Villegas, along with her daughters Rosemarie McTavish, Virgie Escoto, and Jackie MacLin. Additionally, she leaves behind her grandchildren Sharon, Scott, Vincent, Trinetta, Stephanie, Melissa, Jessica, Danielle, Elizabeth, Kendra, Justin and Colton, as well as her sons-in-law Greg McArther and Mark MacLin, and 8 greatgrandchildren and preceded in death by her daughter Terry McArther and son in law Steve McTavish.
Born in 1933 at her grandfather’s home on Canon Perdido St. in Santa Barbara, California, Lorraine was the eldest of two half-siblings Patsy Churchill and Andrew Bowen. At the age of 13, she began working at the Johnson packing house, where she packed tomatoes, and later at Sunkist, packing lemons and avocados. She married her first husband in 1949 and began her career at APC, performing assembly work, which eventually led her to Santa Barbara Research and then Raytheon, where she retired as a Supervisor/Foreman after 27 years of service.
Following her divorce, Lorraine raised her three young daughters while also supporting her mother, Albertina Guevara-Bowen. She took on part-time jobs at the Copper Coffee Pot, Woolworths, and Montecito Country Club. Resilient and determined, she purchased her first home on Western Avenue, providing a loving and stable home for her family. In 1958, Lorraine met Raymond Villegas, her knight in shining armor as she affectionately referred to him, and her life changed for the better. They were married in 1962 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and quickly became a family, with Ray stepping into the roles of husband and father to her three daughters. They welcomed a fourth daughter and eventually settled into their current home in Santa Barbara in 1968.
Lorraine enjoyed her years at Raytheon as she was instrumental in improving assembly processes and was a dedicated advocate for employee welfare successfully pushing for the installation of handicap-accessible bathrooms and the hiring of a full-time nurse. She cherished the friends she made there and how they lasted beyond her retirement. After retiring, Lorraine dedicated her time to volunteering at St. Raphael’s, crafting Rosaries for soldiers, arranging flowers for the altar, assisting with Thanksgiving turkey drives, and raising funds for UNICEF. She was affiliated with several service organizations, including the Moose, Elks, Native Daughters of the Golden West, and served as the secretary for the Los Amigos WWII organization.
Lorraine, was a 6th generation resident of Santa Barbara and 7th generation Californian. Her 5th great-grandfather José Francisco Ortega was founder and first comandante of the Presidio of Santa Barbara from 1782-1784, and is buried with a plaque bearing his name at Old Mission Santa Barbara. From early childhood she participated in the Old Spanish days festivities as part of the children’s parade and attended every year up until last year wearing traditional Spanish attire.
She was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, sister-in-law, comadre, aunt, nina, and friend. Her heart embraced all who entered her life, always supportive, accepting, and gracious. Lorraine always put others before herself and they remain grateful for her sacrifices, patience, understanding, support, wisdom, thoughtfulness, sweetness, generosity, kindness, and above all, her love. Those who knew and loved her will remember Lorraine dressed in festive (fiesta) clothing, living life on her own terms as she effortlessly navigated around everyone in her walker.
The Villegas family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our family and friends who’ve reached out with love and support. We invite you all to pay your respects at the in-person viewing on Friday April 24 from 2-5pm at McDermott-Crockett Chapel, 2020 Chapala St. Santa Barbara, (limited parking behind the chapel).
There will also be a Celebration of Life gathering at the Santa Barbara Moose Lodge on Saturday April 25th from 3-6pm at 110 W. Victoria St. Santa Barbara. Bring your favorite dish to this family-style potluck and your testimonies/stories to share in honor of Lorraine.
