Doris Stitz “Dodie” Medved of Montecito, California, passed away on the morning of May 19, 2026, at her home surrounded by her son, Lyle. She was 89 years old.
Doris was born on May 13, 1937, in Preeceville, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Jewish Eastern European immigrant parents, Sophie and Louis David Stitz. She was the second of three children, Rose and Mimi Stitz.
The family lived in Hazedell, Saskatchewan, and then moved to Springside, Saskatchewan. The family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, when Doris was 9 years old.
Doris was a dedicated Registered Nurse and did her training in Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Canada.
She was also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and relative, and a very active member of the Santa Barbara Jewish community, including administering The Harry Kirsch Scholarship at Congregation B’nai B’rith for several years.
Doris’ nursing career began in 1960 at the Children’s Aid Society in Winnipeg. Her future brother-in-law, Dr. Sam Muchnik, introduced her to Dr. Arnold Medved around 1962 or 1963. They began dating and wed on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1964.
The couple lived in Winnipeg, except for the two years when Dr. Medved finished up his residency at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Montreal, Quebec, where he conducted dermatology research for McGill University.
In 1968, they returned to Winnipeg, where they spent six years before moving to Montecito in 1974.
Doris went back to school to receive her associate’s degree in political philosophy from Santa Barbara City College in 1985 and then her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Cal State Northridge in 1987.
She worked for the Visiting Nurses Association as a liaison between Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Goleta Valley Hospital for several years until she became ill with cancer and had to retire. She later received her nursing public health certificate.
Doris was an active member as a volunteer, including here in Santa Barbara. She was passionate about advocating, educating and providing mental resources for all.
She and her husband, Arnold, established an educational fund through the Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center to teach sixth-graders about mental illness — a program that is still used by some schools in the Santa Barbara County school system.
Doris served as president of the Parents Teachers Students Association at Santa Barbara High School in the mid- to late 1980s. In 1987, she helped establish the After Prom to give students a safe place to hang out once the prom ended. It is still in operation today.
The nonprofit CALM (Child Abuse Listening and Meditation) was near and dear to Doris’ heart. She spent numerous hours volunteering and received the Claire Miles Award in 2015-2016. She was most gratified to receive it.
Doris is survived by her husband, Dr. Arnold Medved, sons Paul and Lyle, daughter Leanne, daughter-in-law Rachel, son-in-law Matthew Pritichett, and grandchildren Matthew and Hannah.
She will be remembered for her impeccable sense of style, fun-loving spirit, generosity, wonderful sense of humor, and for leaving the world a better place than when she arrived.