Madeline Simmons Blickley
Madeline passed peacefully the morning of November 16, 2025 at the age of 95 after a brief illness. Born July 25, 1930, to Anna and Elbert Simmons, she grew up on their family farm in the quiet community of Port Republic, Maryland. She was the last surviving of the family’s six children.
Madeline met her loving husband, Leo Blickley, Jr., at University of Maryland. They initially settled in Baltimore, Maryland where they began raising their three children — Leo III, Mark, and Kathleen (“Kay”). When Leo was offered a position with Sea Operations at General Motors Research Lab in Goleta in 1960, the family made the life-changing move west. Enamored with the California lifestyle, the family enjoyed tennis, beaches, diving, sailing, and simply lounging in their backyard pool with family and friends.
Madeline’s love of a rural lifestyle shaped her family’s values and spirit for generations to come. Always in search of a “country place,” she dreamed of creating a family compound where everyone would be welcome. In 1972, she discovered and fell in love with a rundown 11-acre homestead bordering San Antonio Creek in Santa Barbara. Known affectionately as “The Funke Farm,” it became the hub of activity for multiple generations of the Blickley family. Today the Funke Farm continues her legacy of open arms for all.
Madeline and Leo also had a deep love for travel, with adventures spanning many countries and cultures. She operated a travel agency for many years, and her favorite piece of travel advice was to pack half as many clothes and twice as much money. She continued to travel in her later years, topping it off with a visit to the only continent she had not yet visited, Antarctica.
Madeline is fondly remembered for her generous spirit and lifelong commitment to community — giving her time to Goleta Valley Hospital, Laguna Cottages for Seniors, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Family Service Agency, Meals on Wheels, Transition House, Saint Michael’s University Church, and Planned Parenthood, as well as opening her home to exchange and graduate students for many years.
Madeline is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed yet warmly remembered and loved for her enduring hospitality and acceptance of all who entered her life.
A celebration of life will be Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at 10am, at St. Michael’s University Church in Isla Vista. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Michael’s Church in Isla Vista, Planned Parenthood Central Coast, or a charity of your choice.
