Grace Florez
Florez, Grace, 79, of Santa Barbara passed away on August 30, 2012 in West Covina, CA after a lengthy illness. She was born on September 16, 1932 in New York, NY.
Grace earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1974. She moved from New York to Santa Barbara in 1983. Grace’s career included serving as the Director of Membership for The Girl Scouts of the USA from 1979-1983, the CEO of Girl Scouts Tres Condados from 1983-1984, and CEO of La Casa De La Raza from 1997-2000.
She served her community as Santa Barbara School Board Trustee from 1992-1996, LULAC President, the Santa Barbara Human Relations Commission, the Santa Barbara Civil Service Commission, and the Santa Barbara Human Services Commission, University Club of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Coalition Against Gun Violence, Women’s Political Committee, League of Women Voters, Santa Barbara for Historic Preservation, LAVA (Latino Action Voter Alliance), Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Choral Society, SBCC Adult Education and Peabody Charter School.
Grace also was recognized as the Third District Woman of the Year and Rotary North Paul Harris Scholar.
Grace is survived by her daughter Amy Marie Carroll and son-in-law Bill Carroll of New York and her son Michael James Florez of New Hampshire.
Grace said, “I would like to be remembered as a community activist who advocated for equitable education for all students and for social justice.”
The Rosary Service will be held on Tuesday September 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM at McDermott-Crockett Mortuary, (2020 Chapala St. Santa Barbara, CA.) The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday September 5, 2012 at Saint Barbara Parish at the Old Mission Santa Barbara (2201 Laguna St. Santa Barbara, CA). Interment to follow Mass at Santa Barbara Cemetery (901 Channel Dr. Santa Barbara, CA)
Memorial donations may be made in her name in lieu of flowers to Santa Barbara Education Foundation, Santa Barbara City College Foundation or UCSB Foundation.
Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary