Jean Callanan

1941-2025

Surrounded by her beloved family, Jean Callanan passed away peacefully in the early hours of September 22nd, 2025.

Born in 1941 to C.D. and Minard O’Brien, Jean’s early years were spent sharpening her talents as a competitive figure skater and studying abroad in the Swiss Alps. She would eventually marry her childhood sweetheart, Gilbert Carpenter, and start a beautiful family with sons Gil and Patrick. Tragedy would sadly make her a widow at just 31 years old, but years later, she would fall in love again and marry her second husband, Richard Callanan. A third son, David, soon arrived and the boisterous family of five moved west to Santa Barbara in 1980. Even if life often resembled “living in a locker room,” she loved her family deeply and unconditionally.

Once in the 805, Jean became known as a passionate advocate for children and picked up a few nicknames along the way (Mrs. Callanan, Jeanie, Jazzy Jean, and Jean Jean The Dancing Machine to name a few). Whether it was developing innovative lesson plans as a 4th grade teacher at Monte Vista, serving as an early volunteer for CALM, or carving out time to tutor students in reading and writing, Jean always believed in better for “her kids”. She devoted herself to helping each find the confidence in their own voice.

However, the name she most dearly loved was always “Nana.” She cherished the unique relationships she had with her seven grandchildren with a joie de vivre that made her eyes twinkle and smile infectious. They were her everything, and she loudly celebrated their accomplishments and dreams.

Jean is survived by sons Gil (Erika Jokinen), Patrick (Rya), and David (Karen), as well as grandchildren Gil, Finn, Liam, Evan, Ben, Nate, and Grace.

Services will be held to celebrate Jean’s remarkable life at the Santa Barbara Mission on Tuesday, October 7 @ 11am.