Judy Mckee

Judy McKee, long-time resident of Santa Barbara, passed away on September 2, 2020. Judy had a flair for art, people and life. This was reflected in the beauty of her home, her hospitality and her joyful expressions of speech. 

Judy grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from Hollywood High School and attended UC Santa Barbara, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science. While at UCSB, she made life-long friends who always gathered each year for her special holiday parties.

In the 1990s, Judy created her successful boutique, Alison, in Brentwood. It featured American folk arts and crafts. She often made trips throughout the United States and to northern Europe, finding new treasures to be sold in her store. Judy continued traveling throughout her life.

Before her Alison experience, Judy was employed in the Graduate Division at UCLA. Later, after closing Alison, she returned to UCLA as manager of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.
In the 1990s, Judy and her son Timothy moved to Santa Barbara where Judy worked at the UCSB Art Museum, and enjoyed working in other customer-facing roles in the community. Judy was an advocate and strong supporter of local charities, including donating to the Women’s Fund, since its inception in 2004. Judy also managed business affairs for her father, the renowned architectural photographer, Julius Shulman, including archiving his lifework which is now part of a permanent collection at the Getty Museum.

Judy was an avid Dodgers fan, and along with her many friends and family members, also loved her pets and took great joy in their company. Judy was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Emma and Julius Shulman. She is survived by her son, Timothy McKee, her former husband Richard McKee, her cousins and many friends near and afar. Judy will long be remembered for her extraordinary kindness and generosity to all people. Her family and friends near and afar will miss her greatly.