Mary Jean (Jeannie) Cavender passed away on June 7, 2026 at the age of 82. She was born in Salem, Oregon, on March 7, 1944, to Mary Edythe (Walker) and Noel Cedric Cavender, joining older brother George.

She spent her early years in Salem and Portland, Oregon,, where she was a well-liked and social girl, active in Camp Fire Girls, and elected treasurer of her school student body in fourth grade and vice president in sixth grade.

Jeannie fondly remembered time with family at their cabin on Mount Hood, as well as sledding and good friends in the Portland area.

In 1955 the family moved to Burlingame, California, where Jeannie attended Mills High School and made life-long friends.

She was president of the Mills Girls association and runner-up of a Lions Club regional speech contest, so it was no surprise that she was chosen to speak at her high school graduation in 1962.

Jeannie attended UCSB, where she was active in Chi Omega and earned her degree in sociology with a minor in speech. It was at UCSB that Jeannie met Ron Wolfe, and they were married in 1967, the year Jeannie also got her teaching credential.

She taught first grade for several years at Montecito Union School and was well-loved by her students.

In 1971, Jeannie and Ron welcomed their daughter Leigh Ann, and she became a devoted full-time mother. Son Scott joined the family in 1974.

Jeannie was a wonderful mother to her two children, always present and supportive. She was a room mother, volunteered at the Mountain View School library, led a Camp Fire Girls group, and was ever ready to take her children and their friends on outings to the park, the zoo, the beach, or shopping.

Jeannie was an active member of Assistance League of Santa Barbara and P.E.O., and she forged many good friendships through both organizations.

She was also a member of Goleta Presbyterian Church, where she began to work as office manager when Scott was in high school. She loved her work at the church and was encouraged to pursue becoming a lay minister, which she did with energy and spiritual depth.

In 2009 Jeannie was commissioned as a lay pastor in the Presbyterian church. She served as a commissioned ruling elder at Goleta Presbyterian Church for more than 16 years, leading worship and helping guide the church through several pastoral transitions. Jeannie was a gifted liturgist and wrote many prayers that spoke the heart of those she led in worship.

Jeannie enjoyed travel and made many special trips, including a trip to the Holy Land with her mother and several trips to Europe. The Isle of Iona in Scotland held a special place in her heart, and she traveled there three times, including once with Leigh Ann and her family.

Family and friends were always central to Jeannie’s life. In 1981, Jeannie’s parents moved to Goleta, and she loved having them close. In their later years, she stopped by every day and provided loving support to the parents who adored her.

Jeannie always loved children, and she was delighted when she became Grammy. Her three granddaughters were the light of her life, and she rejoiced in each milestone and visit. She was always ready to read a book or work on a craft project, and she sent cards for every occasion, from birthdays to Halloween and Easter, chosen specially for each granddaughter.

Friendship was a big part of Jeannie’s life, and she enjoyed friendships that reached back to her years in high school and college, as well as new friends she made through her various activities.

She loved sitting with neighbors for coffee in the morning, having lunch with friends old and new, sharing poetry with her poetry group, and yearly trips with the Five Fables, dear friends from high school.

Although the family had a cocker spaniel when Jeannie was a girl, it was pugs who were her faithful dog companions in her adult years. Jeannie doted on Sport, Chung, Piper and Triscuit, Suki and Byntley, collecting pug décor (and socks) to go with the Noah’s ark and other collections that she enjoyed.

Jeannie was a bright spirit whose faith, love and strength touched many people. She was a devoted daughter, mother and grandmother; a faithful friend; and a joyful servant of her Lord. She was dearly loved, and she is dearly missed.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents Noel and Edythe Cavender. She is survived by her two children Leigh Ann (Steve) Robinson and Scott Wolfe; three granddaughters Meaghan and Juliana Robinson and Haven Lockett Wolfe; brother George (Patti) Cavender; two nieces Lynne Cavender and Anne (Nathan) Anderson; and former husband Ron (Sharon) Wolfe.

A celebration of Jeannie’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at Goleta Presbyterian Church, 6067 Shirrell Way.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Goleta Presbyterian Church, where Jeannie served for so many years, or to P.E.O. International in support of education for women.

The family would like to thank all of Jeannie’s dear friends and church family who visited her over these last months, bringing light and joy to her days.