Margaret Jean was born in Michigan, moved to Santa Barbara, California at 1 month of age with her parents, Clyde and Arabel Rizor, her sister Harriet (Dillingham), and brother John Rizor. As a young child, Jean, and her family lived on the Dos Pueblos Ranch while her father was employed as the ranch book keeper. Jean attended Ellwood Elementary School, moving on to Santa Barbara Junior High School, and graduated with the “Class of ‘41” at Santa Barbara High School. Soon after graduation she met her future husband, Edward James Dennett, while he was serving in the United States Army. They married in 1944, eventually settling down on the Mesa, and raising their three children, Patti (Roddenberry), Kathy (Paulsen), and Edward Jr. Jean had a meaningful career as a bank employee, retiring from Crocker Bank/Wells Fargo Bank on the Mesa in 1985.
Jean loved her life and family. She enjoyed taking her dogs for walks through the neighbor hood, and walking with her grand children along Shoreline Park. She led an active social life and kept busy in the Optimist Club, garden clubs, and bowling leagues.
She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years (Edward Sr.); daughter Patti Roddenberry, her children Michelle Padilla and John Roddenberry; son Edward, his wife Linda, their children Jacob, Eric, Jordan, and Leigh-Anne Dennett; daughter Kathy Paulsen, her husband Brad, and their children Jessie, Lacey, and Daniel Paulsen; and blessed with eleven great-grandchildren.
A special heartfelt thank you to the devoted caregivers, Gradine and Alyssa, and to Santa Maria Hospice.
Two months has passed since Jean gave her life to Jesus Christ, proclaiming “I believe, I believe, I believe!”, and leaving no question that she is truly singing and dancing in Heaven.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 20, 2013 at the Santa Barbara Cemetery chapel, 1:00 PM.
Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary
