Raven Wolfe

She is now at peace.

Raven, age 79 traded in her gardening gloves and drums for whatever the next great adventure holds — and knowing Raven, she’s already made friends with everyone there.

Born Ruth Meiselman in Canton, Ohio in 1946, she eventually became Raven Wolfe — a name that suited her far better. After teaching second grade in inner city Cleveland for 3 years, Raven packed up her life and headed west to Santa Barbara, California in 1973. She never truly left Ohio behind — she simply expanded her world to include both, maintaining deep roots and cherished friendships across both places for her entire life. Raven had a gift for collecting people, and over eight decades she amassed a network of friends so vast and loyal it was practically its own community. Wherever she was, she knew someone. Wherever she went, she met someone new.

Raven lived life entirely on her own terms. She was a writer, an artist, a gardener, and a music lover. Thanksgiving at Raven’s was always a party that people looked forward to year after year.

Her creative spirit knew no boundaries and no particular schedule. Words, art, and plants all responded to her touch, and she approached all three with the same joy that defined everything she did. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a warmth that made everyone feel like they were her favorite person in the room — a gift she gave generously, whether you wanted it or not.

She is survived by her three children: her daughter Heather and son-in-law Mark, her daughter Aryn, and her son Geoffrey. She adored her five grandchildren — biological and step alike — who all knew her as Bubbe. She is also survived by her beloved brother Jay and his wife Debbie.

May her memory be a blessing — and a little bit of a party.