Marcia Mueller
In Loving Memory of Marcia Mueller, a lady of style and beauty, inside and out, was born April 15, 1936, to Cassius and Lorine Culberson in Los Angeles, California.
Marcia passed away on March 26, 2026, at Cottage Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and just a few weeks shy of her 90th birthday.
A resident of Santa Barbara since 1960, Marcia lived a life full of passion and devotion to her family, friends, and pets. She modeled for the La Belle modeling agency and later co-managed it with her good friend, Betty Mazzetti Hatch. She started several businesses, including Santa Barbara Wholesale Beverage and residential care homes for the elderly. She was also a dedicated volunteer at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.
Marcia was a lover of animals and was active with Southern California Lab Rescue. She had a special love for Labradors and owned many over the years, most of them rescues. An avid athlete, she loved the outdoors and participated in Avon walks, 5K runs, water skiing and long walks with her son, Steve, and her dogs. She traveled extensively, including cherished weekends at the lake house with family and friends and winters spent in Hawaii.
Marcia was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Donald Jr. She is survived by her beloved husband of 73 years, Don; daughter Cheryl Vendrame (Doug); and son Steve Mueller (Nancy). She leaves behind four grandchildren: Jordon Vendrame (Kimi), Jared Vendrame (Christina), Elizabeth Mueller Ceballas, and Nicholas Mueller; and four great-grandchildren: Simon Vendrame, Chelsea Kunde, Fisher Rhoades, and Samantha Ceballas. She is also survived by her two sisters, Susie Allen and Carol Dalton (Jim), several nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog, Moose.
Marcia will be remembered for her kindness, sincerity, warmth, and joy—the gifts she shared with all who knew and loved her.
A celebration of Marcia’s life will be held on June 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. San Antonio Village Club House 39 North San Marcos Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, California Central Coast Chapter, or your favorite charity.
