It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the family of Denice Labastida announce her passing in the early morning on March 21, 2025.
Denice was surrounded by her family when she passed away peacefully, and honoring her wishes, in privacy.
Born in 1956 to Wayne and Joann Erickson, Denice was a native of Santa Maria, where she spent her entire life.
She attended local schools and went on to work as a grocery clerk for Safeway Stores, as a data research assistant in the oil industry, and as an administrative assistant in a local professional office.
In 1978 Denice married Ron Labastida, a local farmer, who introduced her to the agricultural community of the Santa Maria Valley, where she worked and thrived for several years.
After many years of doing local farmers markets, she started Avant Garde Produce, Inc. in 1995. Avant Garde was a wholesale produce broker providing local produce throughout the Central Coast.
Ron and Denice welcomed two sons into their lives, Tracy in 1983 and Brett in 1988. Denice was the consummate momma bear, fiercely defending and supporting her sons’ dreams and aspirations. She was constantly filled with delight over their accomplishments, both personally and professionally.
Tracy and Brett were her everlasting pride and joy. In turn, they were her guardian angels, watching over her with devotion and gentle care on her final journey.
Denice’s passion for decorating her home, both inside and out, was evident everywhere. Her unique style, flair for color, and the mixture of eclectic pieces made her home a warm and inviting place to visit.
Her backyard patio was a sanctuary and her extensive garden was second to none. Her annual bumper crops of pumpkins, squash, blackberries, and every imaginable flower were welcome gifts to friends and family.
She was a fabulous cook and could bake any dessert you might imagine.
Denice enjoyed reading, listening to all genres of music, discovering new restaurants, restoring and cruising around in her 1971 VW van, and frequently lunched with friends to share or hear the latest Santa Maria-style gossip.
She was an animal lover in her soul, and was never without a dog or two by her side.
Travel was something Denice enjoyed, both close to home and in faraway places. She was a curious traveler, and always took on a food tour to immerse herself in the local cuisine. Her latest trip to London and Brussels during Christmas and New Year’s was, as she described it, the trip of a lifetime.
Traveling with Ron, Tracy, Alex, Brett and Jayke, Denice experienced her last holidays in world class style.
Many of her friends today were lifelong relationships she maintained with loyal and admirable ease. If Denice called you “my friend,” it was a label to be treasured. Denice befriended those who are kind, caring, honest, genuine, and with integrity.
Denice is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Ron; son Tracy and his husband Alex Saleen; son Brett and his husband Jayke Javaux; sister Linda Longest; bonus son Andrew Masuda and bonus granddaughter Porter; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews; her 18-year-old cat “Cat,” and her beloved dog “Mick” who was by her side until the end.
Gone too soon, Denice was the bravest of the brave. She will be remembered for her feisty “oh hell no!” attitude, and her “just do it” spirit. Her unwavering mindset of “I’m OK” will be a fond and lasting reminder of a life well lived.
Those wishing to remember Denice with a charitable donation may consider her favorite animal rescue nonprofit Operation Rescue in care of 314 E. Chapel, Santa Maria, CA 93454, or Mission Hope Cancer Center, 1325 E. Church St., Santa Maria, CA 93454.
Respecting her wishes, a private family interment to be held. A celebration of Denice’s life will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 13 in Edna Valley. RSVP @ denicescelebrationoflife413@gmail.com for details and location information.
Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.