Larry Ariew

Our community has lost an exceptional man. On April 9th, Larry Ariew died peacefully at Sarah House in Santa Barbara, surrounded by loving family and friends. Larry was a man of boundless compassion. His greatest source of pride and accomplishment was in working for 25 years as an oncology nurse at Cottage Hospital, where he met and worked alongside Jill, also an oncology nurse, who became his beloved wife of 20 years. Larry was dedicated to professional excellence. He cared deeply for his patients, administering the procedures and medical protocols necessary in their treatment. Working the night shift, he was a gentle an empathetic source of guidance, support and comfort for those patients in his care, as well as for their families. He was a bright light for many enduring their darkest and loneliest nights. Larry found solace in nature. He was an avid surfer. His weekly sessions at Pitas Point, California Street of Little Rincon with his close friends, and his annual trips to Mexico, recharged him and gave him the strength he needed to bring his best as nurse and caregiver. He felt spiritually connected to the Sierras, the Big Sur coast, and the redwood forests of the Russian River, where he and Jill spent many wonderful times. Larry was a lifelong friend to many who knew him since his childhood and teenage years growing up in the San Fernando Valley. He had no human children, but he loved his dogs, Bobo, Beaverwood, Buckaroo and Shayner as though they were his offspring. Larry was especially blessed to be in the care of Drs. Bailey, Delio, and Baker, and the Cottage Hospital staffs in the MICU, 4 South, the Hospice and Palliative Care Team, and finally at Sarah House during his last peaceful hours. His parents Robert and Yetta Ariew, and his sister Paula Ariew preceded Larry in death. He is survived by his wife Jill, his sister Joy and brother in law Michael Goldowitz, his nephew Sam, and his brother Howard, in additional to countless lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Surfrider Foundation, Sarah House, the Humane Society or the Dog Adoption and Welfare Group of Santa Barbara. A Celebration of Larry’s life will be held on April 26th, at 2:00 at Shoreline Park, on the bluff above Leadbetter Beach.