Barbara Channell Chester
Barbara Channell Chester passed away peacefully on July 2, 2010, at Valle Verde Health Center in Santa Barbara after a lengthy illness.
Barbara, a resident of Solvang, was born in Santa Barbara on April 17, 1941, to Kenneth H. Channell and Kathryn Gammill Channell. She graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1959. In 1964 she married Charles M. Chester in Santa Barbara, and in 1965 she and Charles moved to San Francisco, where he completed his college degrees. Upon returning to Santa Barbara in 1970, Barbara enrolled in Santa Barbara City College and received her Associates of Arts degree in 1972. After that she devoted her life to raising their children, daughter Kacey and son Charlie, becoming involved with Cold Springs School, helping in the classrooms and with the PTA. Later on, Barbara was able to pursue many creative avenues: taking classes in basket making; creating glass beads, fused glass, and jewelry; and knitting and crocheting. Though she delighted in her creative activities, her real joy was the many friendships she made while taking classes through Adult Education and exploring these creative outlets. During this time, Barbara and Charles were fortunate to be able to travel extensively both domestically and internationally, visiting all seven continents. In 2000 Barbara and Charles moved from Santa Barbara to Solvang, where they met many new friends.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 46 years, Charles; her daughter, Kacey (Matthew) Gritt of Carpinteria, CA; her son, Charles, Jr. of Cayucos, CA; her sisters, Penny (Whitey) Perches of Buellton, CA, and Candy (Michael) Millett of Atascadero, CA; her grandson, Haven Charles Gritt; and six nieces and nephews.
During her long illnesses, Barbara was under the care of Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Santa Ynez Valley Recovery Residence, Santa Barbara Hematology and Oncology Medical Group, and the Valle Verde Health Center. The family would like to give thanks to the doctors and staff at these organizations for all their support during this very difficult time.
A memorial service for Barbara will be held at the Montecito Country Club, at 3:00 PM on Friday, July 9. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara’s memory to the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation, 2050 Viborg Road, Solvang, CA 93463.
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