Josephine Van Gelderen (a.k.a. Jo Beth) was born in Bowie, Texas, on Oct. 21, 1917, to William Fay Kingsbury and Augusta Eugenia Kingsbury. On Dec. 30, 2021, she passed away peacefully in her home in Santa Barbara to join the angels. She will be missed by the many who loved her.
Jo Beth graduated from UCLA with a Ph.D. in history. In 1951 she moved from Beverly Hills to Santa Barbara as the bride of a young college professor, Wilbur Jacobs. Together they raised two daughters Elizabeth (Betsy) Hayden, and Catherine (Cathy) Homer.
After 25 years as a faculty wife at UCSB and teaching at Santa Barbara City College she met Don Van Gelderen. Jo Beth and Don were both on a tour of South America and newly single when they met.
Egypt and Greece were followed by visits to more than 90 countries including three trips to the Antarctic and a memorable voyage through the Northwest Passage in 1985. Hot air ballooning in France, Italy and Switzerland were favored vacations as were numerous cruises.
Jo Beth preferred sightseeing by hot air balloon, helicopter or at the controls of a small airplane as she has had her pilot’s license since 1960. Jo Beth’s thirst for adventure and love of travel have inspired so many who loved her.
Always very generous to several charities and nonprofits in our community, Jo Beth volunteered her time on several nonprofit boards and committees over the years. She was a strong supporter of UCSB where the History Graduates Reading Room is named in her honor. She has set up two endowments to continue to provide help for graduate students in the future.
Jo Beth was a strong supporter of the Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Music Academy of the West Santa Barbara County Food Bank, Santa Barbara Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, and several other environmental groups; Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, and the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.
In addition to all this good work, she supported education and provided the resources for several young men and women to pursue higher education.
Jo Beth is predeceased by her husband Don Van Gelderen; stepdaughter Sandra Decker; stepson Donald Ray Van Gelderen; step grandson Larry Darr, Jr., and step great-grandson Ken Rivers, Jr.
She is survived by her two daughters Betsy Hayden (Brian) and Cathy Homer (LeRoy); grandchildren Kelli Newell (Jimmy) and Sean Hayden (Vin); great-grandchildren Madison Haney and Archer Newell; stepson Larry Darr, Sr., step grandchildren Lisa Ann Rivers, Donald Van Gelderen, Matthew Decker, and Lanny Darr (Cheryl); step great grandchildren Victoria Rivers and Donald Van Gelderen.
An “adopted” son Rob Kooyman, along with his wife Cathy and their four daughters Melanie (Daniel), Megan, Emily and Kaylee have shared life with “Oma” for more than 33 years, including many vacations together.
Dr. William Gallivan, his wife Karen, and children Will, Robbie, Stephen, Katie, Andrew and Brandon were “adopted” grandchildren and very special to “Oma.”
She loved spending time with these two young families over the years because she always enjoyed the excitement and action that comes with a house full of teenagers.
Carlos Granados has been an amazing caregiver, companion and friend for more than 25 years. Carlos cared for Don before he passed away in 2004, and he also took great care of her dogs Joe Boxer, Lilly and Bodie. o Beth and her entire family are so very grateful for his wonderful care, love and support over the many years together.
A memorial service and burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13 at Santa Barbara Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Santa Barbara Symphony in her honor.