Anna Banducci Johnson

Anna Banducci Johnson was born in Bakersfield, California on June 13, 1944. Her parents, Giuseppe (Joe) and Ida Banducci, emigrated from Lucca, Italy to Bakersfield where they bought land and became successful farmers. Anna came to Santa Barbara to attend Marymount High School as a boarder in 1962. She then attended San Jose State University where she received her degree in education and met and married Alex Pananides. The couple moved to Santa Barbara and had one son, Mark.

As owner of the Unicorn in Montecito Village, Anna displayed her many talents as an interior decorator. After selling the business, she began volunteering at the Braille Institute and served two years as President of the Women’s Auxiliary and several years later joined the Women’s Board at the Music Academy of the West where she spent many hours volunteering at the Rack.

Anna will be remembered for her kindness, her generous spirit and the elaborate Italian feasts that she prepared. She had a sharp sense of humor and an infectious wit (puns were her specialty). She loved to read, especially anything having to do with English history. Along with history and entertaining, Anna enjoyed traveling to visit her many friends and family in Italy.

Anna is survived by her son, Mark, and the loves of her life, her grandchildren, Olivia and Alex Pananides and their mother, Christina Penniman. She is predeceased by her husband, Donald Johnson of Suisun, California.

There will not be a service.

If you so wish, you may remember Anna with a donation to the Music Academy of the West or Serenity House.