Marti Strong

It is with sadness that we share that Martha (Marti) Strong passed away on April 13, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.

Marti Daunt was born on June 14, 1940 in Flint, Michigan and spent her early years sharing life with 11 brothers and 2 sisters. In the early 60’s she and some girlfriends took an adventure and settled in San Diego. One night she met a Navy man with piercing blue eyes in a bar. She fell for this man, Robert (Bob) Strong, and married him in 1963 and soon afterwards they moved to Santa Barbara. They built a beautiful life together and raised four children in the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley area.

Marti retired in 2006 after 22 years working for both the City and County of Santa Barbara. She spent many hours in her garden growing and nurturing numerous plants and flowers for her family and neighbors to enjoy. She was especially proud of the 100 year-old cottage that she and her husband Bob restored and have lived in for the past 30 years. Marti modeled creativity on a daily basis with her spinning, knitting, weaving, and sewing. She always had at least one project going for family and friends and managed a long list of ideas for future projects. It was always a special moment to receive one of her handmade items.

Marti is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, her children Karen (Ross) Burnett, Daniel (Rebecca) Strong, Jennifer Allen, and Teresa Strong, 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is also survived by many members of her large Daunt family, numbering in the hundreds. She referred to herself as a “cradle to the grave“ Catholic and a memorial mass was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on May 3 at 10 a.m. A private burial service followed.