Michele Van Wingerden

08/09/1951 – 02/24/2024

Michele Marie Van Wingerden was born on Aug. 9, 1951, to Thomas and Jenne Smith in La Jolla, Calif. She grew up as the fourth oldest of ten children. Her father was a pharmacist at Mills Pharmacy in Carpinteria and she spent her early teen years working at Mills looking after customers and stocking the shelves. Her mom and dad taught her a strong work ethic, which carried her throughout her life. 

She met her husband Harry Van Wingerden in 1967 when his family moved from the Netherlands to Carpinteria, Calif., to continue the family agriculture business growing flowers. Michele met Harry the day after he set foot in Carpinteria and the beginning of a grand and beautiful love story was born; it carried on for almost 54 years. They were married June 20, 1970, and went on to raise five children together.  

Michele was a proud and devoted mother to her son Erik and daughters Kristi, Kami, Katie and Kyla. She raised her children in Carpinteria, close to family and friends. While her children were in school Michele was active in Mt. Carmel School’s Parent Guild and worked as a bookkeeper in the office at Mt. Carmel so she could be closer to her children. She was quick to volunteer her time for school field trips and classroom activities; she carpooled to various sports tournaments and always opened her home to friends and family. She hosted many pool parties at her Carpinteria home and offered up her pool for other children in the Carpinteria community to enjoy. She may have officially been a mother to five, but she served as a mother to many. 

Michele embraced her personal and professional life with passion and generously shared her compassion with everyone she encountered. She became the owner of  Padaro Floral, a retail off-shoot of the family flower-growing business in 1995. Michele could also be found in the fall at the Pumpkin Patch next to Padaro Floral, where she welcomed local elementary students and their teachers for tours.  

A woman of deep faith and devotion, she was part of the local catholic community and active in both St. Joseph and Mt. Carmel parishes through Bible studies, fundraising, and teaching catechism classes. Michele was involved with many causes including Santa Barbara Children’s Home Society, NAMI Santa Barbara and HELP of Carpinteria, and happily supported numerous non-profit organizations at their annual auctions. She will be profoundly missed, but created an amazing legacy of warmth, kindness and a life well lived.

Michele Marie Van Wingerden – wife, mother and Mema – passed away peacefully after a courageous battle against cancer on Feb. 24, 2024 at the age of 72. She was surrounded and supported by her loving family and caregivers the last days of her life. 

Michele is survived by her husband of 54 years, Harry VanWingerden; her eldest son, Erik VanWingerden (Dianna); and her daughters Kristi Hayes (Shane), Kami Izzard (Jeff), Katie Beyer (Aaron) and Kyla Rightmer (Brett). She is also survived by her eleven grandchildren: Ashlynn, Connor, Brennen, Tucker, Skya, Henry, Kinsley, Kira, Arwyn, Blake and Theo. She is survived by her brothers Paul (Lynn,) Dion (Beth) and Blaise; sisters Teresa (Don), Duana, Carrie (Stanley), Lynelle (Fred) and brother-in-law Larry Chavez; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father Thomas and Jenne Smith, as well as her brother Storm, sister Shannon Chavez and brother-in-law Marty Dickman. 

The family would like to give heartfelt thanks to the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, Santa Barbara Cancer Care, and Cottage Hospital physicians and Dr. David Birken. Also, a special thanks to Assisted Home Health and Hospice nurses Denise, Natalie, Andrea and Karin. Everyone was so thoughtful, caring and dedicated to providing the best care possible. 

Please join Michele’s family for a celebration of her life with a funeral service on March 12 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Carpinteria, located at 1500 Linden Ave. A graveside service will follow. A luncheon reception will be held at Lions Park in Carpinteria – 6197 Casitas Pass Road – that same day, and a rosary will be held the evening of March 11 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Church. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to any cancer foundation or non-profit of your choosing.