Judith Schiefen

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Judith Arlene Schiefen on the morning of May 14, 2026 at the age of 86 in her hometown of Santa Barbara, California.

Born on May 3, 1940, Judy was the first born of Rita and Elmer Wilson and the beloved older sister of Dennis Wilson. From an early age, she possessed a knack for creativity, and a quiet strength that would carry her through the course of her life.

A graduate of Santa Barbara High, where she was involved in the Girls’ Ensemble, Pep Club, and was the senior editor of the school’s yearbook, O&G, Judy had aspirations to pursue a career in nursing at Los Angeles General Hospital. But life, as it so often did with Judy, had other plans. One evening, cruising State Street, Judy met the love of her life, David Schiefen, a fateful encounter at the Blue Onion diner that would shape the next 66 years of her story.

Dave and Judy were married at Our Lady of Sorrows in Santa Barbara on November 20, 1960 followed by a reception at the El Encanto, commencing their life-long partnership, built on unwavering devotion, resilience, and deep love. With Judy at the helm, they raised four children– Elizabeth, Suzanne, Michael, and Kimberly, and created a family life steeped in tradition, and togetherness.

While they traveled the world together, visiting many different countries, their happiest memories were made during summers spent camping at Shaver Lake, a place where they would eventually build a cabin that became a second home to their family. There, Judy’s love can be found in the details of hand-sewn patchwork quilts, carefully stitched Christmas stockings, and the traditions that drew their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together year after year.

Judy would ultimately revisit her early ambition to help those in need through her work as a medical assistant at the Children’s Medical Clinic of Santa Barbara. Beyond raising her family, it was there that she found a great sense of purpose, and she took pride in the support and comfort she brought to children and families over the course of a decade.

Life was not always gentle with Judy. She endured a difficult battle with breast cancer at the age of 49, and the unimaginable grief of losing her only son in 1992, yet she continued to find the same quiet strength. Through each of life’s storms, Dave remained her steadfast safe harbor –her place to seek shelter and strength, and she loved him deeply through their final days together.

Remembered for her love and resilience, her sweet tooth, and her fierce competitive nature (whether bowling, bingo, ping-pong, or left/right/center, she played to win), Judy is survived by her husband of 66 years, David, her children: Elizabeth (Douglas), Suzanne (Ross), Kimberly (Michael), her grandchildren: Robert (Kelli), Melissa (Armando), Megan, Lauren, Garrett, Grant, Gavin, and Grayson; and her great-grandchildren: Blake, Madelyn, Reese, and Lizzie.

Our family will miss her deeply, and while her absence leaves a void in our hearts, we find comfort in the thought of one day hearing her voice again, welcoming us with a simple, loving, “hey you.”

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 11am with a reception to immediately follow at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.