LuAnn Keithley

LuAnn Keithley, a longtime resident of Santa Barbara and Carpinteria, passed away peacefully December. 7, 2016 at the age of 87.

Lucille Annette Armstrong was born on June 7, 1929 in Calgary, Alberta and grew up in Victoria, British Columbia. Her father, Guy Armstrong, quickly realized the name he had bestowed upon her was far too big for such a petite child and shortened her name to LuAnn.

LuAnn moved to Santa Barbara 64 years ago with her first husband Richard Praul. She quickly embraced Santa Barbara living: days spent at Butterfly Beach, lunches at El Paseo, cocktails at Plow & Angel, Fiesta celebrations and swimming at Miramar Beach. LuAnn was an accomplished cook and gave many memorable dinner parties at the family home on Islay Street. Her children fondly remember homemade dinner and dessert every night of the week. New recipes were critiqued and the familiar question asked by LuAnn would be, “Does it make the box (recipe)?”

Together with her second husband, Irwin ‘Dutch’ Keithley, LuAnn enjoyed traveling the world to places both near and far. She felt traveling was an important personal experience and something she was very passionate about, making sure to share her passion and love of adventure with each of her four grandchildren.

Always a great reader LuAnn decided to take up writing. She worked diligently, attended writing classes and workshops and submitted many of her short stories. LuAnn’s book I Was There is a collection of her stories which range from her first job as an elevator operator at the Empress Hotel during her summer break from college to her experience starting a one woman catering business.

A very caring person LuAnn felt it was important to give back to her community. Over the years she volunteered with Reading for the Blind, Meals on Wheels, Food From the Heart and her church, Carpinteria Community Church. A longtime member of The Monday Group LuAnn always enjoyed the opportunity to learn & share among friends.

LuAnn will be missed by her children, Christine Campos(Carlos) and Martin Praul, her four grandchildren, Eliza Campos, Molly Campos, Carla Campos and Robin Campos, and her three great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Casa Cambria (Katerina Gulira, Anton, Dario, Olga) for their wonderful care & compassion and Aretha and Laurence from Assisted Hospice for their care, support and guidance and Melanie Farmer for her long time care and friendship.

A memorial service at Carpinteria Community Church is planned for January 2017. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial gifts to the Parkinson Association of Santa Barbara www.mypasb.org