Margaret “Peggy” Wentz

Margaret “Peggy” Wentz, spirit-filled lover of family, friends, flora & fauna, unexpectedly made her transition on January 21, 2014, at the age of 81 at Friendship Manor in Goleta. She is survived by daughter Kathryn Caba (and husband Tom), four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, god-daughter Laura Kath and hundreds of devoted friends especially like-a-sister Donna Lee. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy Wentz; former husband Bill Minshull, their son Mark and daughter Deborah. Peggy’s passing is mourned by so many near & far.

Born in Colorado, Peggy moved with her school-teacher parents to South Dakota and Illinois. She attended Northwestern University, married first husband Bill then moved to California to raise their family; and attended El Camino College majoring in journalism. After their divorce, Peggy moved to England, was educated at Torquay College (Cordon Bleu Culinary School); and owned/operated the Old Rydon Inn. She returned to California and graduated from Santa Barbara City College with a degree in Hotel/Restaurant/Culinary Management in 1982. Through friends of Bill Wilson, she met her beloved Roy; they married in 1985 in Santa Barbara. She was a member and volunteer of the Santa Barbara Altrusa Club, Arthritis Foundation and Spiritualist Church of the Comforter to name a few. Peggy’s professional accomplishments from innkeeper to chef, florist, admin, designer and teacher are matched by only by her tapestry of hobbies from gardening to inspirational reading and writing projects.

All are invited to a Celebration of Life service & reception for Peggy on Sunday, June 1, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. at the Spiritualist Church of the Comforter, 1028 Garden Street, Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Peggy & Roy Wentz Memorial Scholarship Fund at Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center, PO Box 30662, Santa Barbara, CA 93130. Arrangements handled by Welch-Ryce-Haider; please visit Peggy’s tribute book online at www.wrhsb.com