Mary V. Sebastian
Mary Vaughan Sebastian passed away at home surrounded by family, on Saturday, November 12th at the age of 82. Mary was born February 26, 1934 to Maude (“Mickey”) and John Edmund (“Ed”) Vaughan in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She grew up in Milwaukee attending St. Sebastian School, Holy Angels High School and Marquette University.
Mary was pre-deceased by her husband Tom and her six siblings: Bob, Tom, Patsy and Joanie Vaughan, Jean Scheiner and Nancy Sipperly. Tom and Mary met on a blind date arranged by a very dear friend; they married in 1958 and enjoyed a full and loving life together until Tom’s passing in 1994. They began their journey together in Milwaukee and in 1972 were relocated to Santa Barbara, California. While juggling the lives of their kids, Mary also found time to work at Sears in LaCumbre Plaza, Pacific Coast Airlines and the Santa Barbara Airbus.
Mary and Tom were blessed with four children: Patty Charest (Michel), Diane Pestolesi (Tom), Steve Sebastian (Betsy Jones) and Joni Galvan (Michael) and eleven grandchildren, Chris and Kelly Charest, Tommy, Kari (Brad Hemmerling) and Danny Pestolesi, Katie, Ben and Emma Sebastian and Riley Schoen, Sebastian and Dax Galvan. As the family grew, so did all the joyous and on occasion “crazy” family get-togethers. Mary loved to cook in quantities for everyone. She would always say, “feel free” which took many friends by surprise until they realized she was talking about the food that was left on the table!
Mary and Tom were huge supporters of their kids and grandkids. From St. Pius X Grade School in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin to Bishop Diego High School, to University of Hawaii and all points in between. They loved being there to cheer on their victories and to console them on their defeats.
Mary enjoyed playing golf with all her good friends, especially Rosemary Shull, Kathleen Bottiani and Janelle Clark. They prided themselves on being the longest running foursome in the oldest golf tournament in the county, the Bishop Diego Bob Morelli Golf Tournament.
Mary’s family is very grateful for all the prayers, cards, love and support over the past year. A very special thank you to Dr. Richard Ponce and caregivers, April Noriega and Gladys Munoz. Thanks to the staff at Goleta and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospitals, Valle Verde Health Center, Central Coast Home Health and Assisted Home Health and Hospice.
All are welcome to join the family on Friday, November 18th at 7:00 pm for the evening vigil and also on Saturday, November 19th at 2:00 pm for a memorial mass. Both functions will be held at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, 5444 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to Santa Barbara Special Olympics, 15 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, or to your favorite charity.