Judith Lee Bennett (Judy)
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Judith Lee Bennett, lovingly known as Judy. Born on September 9, 1941, in Elmira, New York, Judy passed away on December 1, 2024, at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, California, at 83.
Judy was known by her friends and family for her feisty personality, infectious humor, intuitive nature, sage advice, loyalty, and generosity. She was an energetic and positive force, tireless in her pursuits, and often made others feel special.
Judy and her family relocated multiple times along the East Coast in her youth before settling in California in 1957. Judy began working at the Air National Guard Unit, Van Nuys, where she met her first husband, John Cape. They married and settled in Camarillo. The marriage resulted in three children before ending in the mid-1970s. As a single mother, she pursued psychology studies at Moorpark College and worked at the Camarillo State Hospital.
On a blind date set up by a mutual friend, she met her second husband, Stephen Schweitzer. Judy and the children eventually moved to Santa Barbara to live with Stephen. There, she returned to school at UCSB and eventually earned a master’s in psychology from Antioch University.
She devoted much of her life to supporting her community in Santa Barbara, where she had a long history of advocating for children, beginning in the late 1970s as a founding member of P.A.C.T., a small non-profit dedicated to providing services for child victims of sexual abuse. P.A.C.T. later merged with C.A.L.M., Santa Barbara’s leading provider of services to child abuse victims, where Judy served as a board member. Judy was also a member of the Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee, serving as campaign co-chair in the successful election of Senator Barbara Boxer, one of California’s first female senators.
Judy was active in the early years of The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara. This volunteer-led collective donor organization enables women to combine charitable dollars into significant grants addressing the critical needs of the County’s women, children, and families. Judy also served on the board of VNA Health (formerly VNA Hospice) and played a vital role in fundraisers for Anacapa High School and Crane School.
Judy is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Stephen Schweitzer; her son, Anthony Cape and granddaughter, Isabella Sandino; her daughter, Christa Cape and grandson, Stephen Thrower-Cape; and her son, Randal Cape and granddaughter, Violet Cape. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched and the lasting impact of her dedication to others.
A private memorial service has already been held.