Lillian V. Flavin
Lillian V. Flavin, 83, died peacefully at home on March 31, 2012, following a period of declining health. Her passing is deeply and sadly mourned by her family. She was the dearly loved mother of Starr and John, grandmother of Andrew (partner Abbie), Angelina, Kindra, Alea (Heinz), and John, and great-grandmother of Sadie. She is also survived by her step-brother Chuck (Mary) Bickelhaupt of IL, her step-sister Grace Cochran of MA, and her cousin Sy Capalbo of NY, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Born Lillian Anderson on May 13, 1928 in New York, in 1950 she graduated magna cum laude from Oneonta Teachers College, University of New York, with her Bachelors of Education degree. She taught for one year in Maryland before marrying John Flavin and moving to Denver, CO. There she taught until 1953 when their daughter Starr was born, followed by son John in 1956. In 1959, the family moved to Santa Barbara, and Lillian returned to teaching in 1963. She and John were divorced in 1964, but Lillian remained in Santa Barbara for the rest of her life.
In addition to raising her two children, she worked for the Goleta Union School District until her retirement in 1993. She started as an Elementary teacher, going on to achieve her Masters Degree in 1971 from U.C.S.B. She then taught Special Education, and was a remarkably fine professional, receiving numerous compliments and honors during her career.
She was an extremely intelligent, perceptive, caring, and active woman, and worked with numerous organizations and committees throughout her life. Since retirement she has been a member and office holder of the Democratic Women of Santa Barbara, the Docent Council of the Historical Museum of Santa Barbara, and the American Association of University Women. She was also a past President of the Santa Barbara Democratic league. She loved to play bridge, and was a member of the Retired Teachers’ and the Womens’ Service Group bridge clubs. She also attended the Santa Barbara Symphony every week for many years with her dear friend Nida. She enjoyed traveling, and made a number of trips to Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and the Panama Canal. She also loved playing Bingo, and certainly seemed to win regularly, frequently going to Laughin or Las Vegas to find the bigger prizes.
Most especially, she enjoyed meeting and being with people, and cherished the numerous friends she made with all of her activities.
She was a remarkable woman of great wit, humor, and integrity and an unparalleled example of achievement through perseverance.
A memorial for family and friends will be held Thursday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, 1535 Santa Barbara St. (across from Alice Keck Park).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in her memory be made to the Scholarship & Loan Foundation, A.A.U.W.-S.B.-G.V. P.O. Box 802 Goleta, CA 9116-0802, or to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Education Department, 136 E. De La Guerra St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101.