Dorothy Elisabeth “Betty” Kimbel

Date of Birth

September 17, 1922

Date of Death

March 11, 2012

City of Death

Santa Barbara

September 17, 1922 – March 11, 2012

Dorothy Elisabeth “Betty” Kimbel (Evinger) passed away peacefully at home on March 11, 2012. She was born September 17, 1922 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Emery and Vella Evinger. Throughout the 1920’s and 30’s, the family moved frequently living in Oregon, Kansas, Oklahoma and Southern California. She moved to Santa Barbara in 1951 where she met the love of her life, Sam Kimbel. They were married June 15, 1952, and were blessed with their greatest joys: their three children.

Dorothy, known as Betty to her Santa Barbara friends, was a semi-professional singer in her 20s, and sang in choirs from childhood to her sixties. She loved to sew and made dresses for her children, cousins’ children and the friends of her children. She enjoyed writing stories about her life, and wrote, read and acted in skits and plays. She loved to travel, especially to see family and dear friends.

Among the many organizations that benefited from her creative enthusiasm were the Scottish Society of Santa Barbara, the Lively Ladies folk dance group, the Goleta Civic Ballet and her beloved church. Her more favorite jobs included working in Library Acquisitions at University of California, Santa Barbara College (Riviera); Wedding Coordinator at Unity Church; Santa Barbara NewsPress Carrier; and secretary at her church, First Presbyterian of Santa Barbara.

Predeceased by her husband, Sam Kimbel, her parents, brothers and an infant sister, she is survived by her three children: Noni Kimbel Patchell (Jim), Jeff Kimbel, Lori Pavsek (John), and three grandchildren: Rachel, Victor and Sarah Pavsek; plus numerous extended family members—actual and honorary.

Visitation hours are 9am to 5pm, Thursday, March 15 at Welch-Ryce-Haider. A celebration of her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara on Saturday, March 17 at 2pm. Donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara, the Braille Institute, or Visiting Nurses and Hospice. Arrangements made by Welch-Ryce-Haider 965-5145.

Many thanks to Visiting Nurses and Hospice and Personal Care Services.

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