Victoria May Yansen

Victoria May Yansen (nee Blackman) passed away peacefully at her home in Goleta, California on March 25th, 2014 at the age of ninety-four.

May was born on August 23rd, 1919 to Adelaide Eliza (nee Angoy) and Samuel Augustus Blackman in Guyana, South America. She worked as a primary school teacher at St Ambrose’s Elementary school. She married Leopold Ignatius Yansen on June 28th, 1944. Their home in Subryanville was a place where their children and friends always enjoyed good food, good conversation and a warm welcome

For many years, she was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic University Parish. She greatly enjoyed participating in activities at the Friendship Adult Day Center in Montecito and in Goleta.

She was a beloved mother to Cherie Blackman Gibson (Oslo) of Brooklyn NY, Winston Blackman of Elizabeth, NJ, Andrew Yansen (Sabina) of Lompoc, CA, Joanne Madison (Otis)of Goleta, CA and Sally Yansen of Santa Barbara. She was a loving grandmother to Gordon Gibson, Angela Gray, Taiwo Madison, Kehinde Madison, Saidaa Madison, David Yansen, Stacy Yansen and Ariel Yansen, great-grandmother to Shakema, Kya, Onaje, Donte, Shawnte, Jasmine, Akirah, Kiarah, Kayla, Jonathan and most recently to her great – granddaughter Paz Rae Aya Yansen.

May was a source of love, affection, wisdom and advice for her family and friends. She approached every situation with practical common sense and good humor. Her grandchildren will miss the “bush remedies” that she offered for every ailment and her (unsolicited) advice on every aspect of their romantic lives. We know that her spirit will continue to watch over us for the rest of our lives.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 31st, 2014 from 3 to 7.00pm at Welch-Ryce-Haider , 450 Ward Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93111.

Funeral Services will be held at 10.00am on Tuesday, April1st, 2014 in the Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel followed by burial at Goleta Cemetery District at 44 S. San Antonio Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.