In Memory

Michele Fitzpatrick

Michele Fitzpatrick

Michele Fitzpatrick passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on December 15, 2021.  Her family had asked to wait before notifying her classmates until they had time to process their loss.  After attending DVC, Michele transferred to UCSB.  She fell in love with Santa Barbara and upon graduation she was hired as a social worker at Santa Barbara’s Department of Social Services. After 40 years Michele retired from her position as Deputy Director in 2009.  As her sister states Michele was strong, independent, smart and sassy.  She enjoyed golf, travel, cooking schools, wine tasting and was always an avid reader.  In her last years she suffered from a debilitating illness which greatly limited her activities, but she lived independently and enjoyed time with her friends.  As most of her life was in Santa Barbara, her family (who all live up here in the Bay Area) are planning to have a memorial in Santa Barbara and will be publishing her obituary in the Santa Barbara paper at that time.  Once that happens that information will also be posted on this class website.



 
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03/11/22 08:11 AM #1    

Janice Groth (Hoagland)

Thank you for respecting her sisters' request. Rest In Peace Michele....


03/11/22 12:06 PM #2    

Linda Razzano (Carroll)

So many memories. Too many to recount. We ( Barbara Murray- Kathy Fine) and myself had a girl's weekend in SB with Michelle a number of years ago. The consummate host and tour guide, we laughed ourselves silly.
It pains me to know that she suffered for a number of years.... 

Rest in sweet peace, friend. 

 

 

 


03/12/22 10:08 AM #3    

Kathryn Fine

Michele will always have a place in my heart.  I have so many memories of times spent with her dating back to our times at PH Elementary.  Many a night we slept out under the stars in one or the other's backyard and talked for hours.  I remember inventing and cooking sandwich recipes with her after school, riding bikes to Bev's house, and talking about boys and other life issues for hours.  We shared good times and bad times laughing and crying together.  Michele was wise beyond her years, a great and loyal friend, and loved a good time. Rest in peace, dear friend.


03/13/22 10:23 AM #4    

James (Jim) Belding

When my family moved to California and I was placed in Pleasant Hill Intermediate's 8-16, I was very nervous. But there was a group of great classmates that made me feel welcome. Michele was among those people and her humor and laughter was fabulous and comforting to me. I will never forget her kindness! 


03/13/22 12:09 PM #5    

Rosslyn Thorp (Thorp-Clauson)

I didn't know Michele well, but she was so sweet and had a beautiful smile! Sad to hear she suffered from an illness for so long. May she Rest In Peace. 


03/14/22 10:22 AM #6    

Myke Haab (Judd)

Sharon Foley & I used to call Michele "Shell". She told us she didn't like to be called that but we could. I always liked her so much. She was fun and we all had some good times in high school. Shell & I had talked about being roommates in college but unfortintely, we each went our seperate ways. I saw her before our 50th reunion at our lunch at El Charro & I talked with her at length. She seemed pretty fraile & she told me all about her life in Santa Barbara & failing health. That was the last time I saw her but I will remember her with great fondness. Good night, sweet friend. May you rest in peace.


03/14/22 11:23 AM #7    

David Strachan

I didn't know Michele but meet her once with a neighbor Len Van Noord who lived on Diable View Road. I think they may have worked together at one time as he was a probation officer in Martinez. She lived on Foothill Park Circle (I think) along with Sue Boyle and Nancy MacDonald.  I lived on Foothill Park Terrace along with Karen Frankenfield.  I wish that I had known her and wish her well on this new journey.


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