Justyn (Justy) Person peacefully passed away, surrounded by loved ones, on Jan. 15, 2026, in Montecito.
Justy was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1929 to Wilbur and Louise Chenoweth, and was the eldest of their four children.
The Chenoweth family moved to Santa Monica in 1937 where Justy attended Westlake School for Girls and Scripps College. At Scripps she met her beloved husband-to-be, Ray K. Person, Jr, who had just returned to Pomona College after serving in the Coast Guard during World War II.
After their wedding, they settled in Claremont, California, to raise their three daughters in the college community. Justy and Ray were founding parents of the Foothill Country Day School in Claremont.
Following their years in Claremont, Ray’s business relocated the family in 1968 to Pauma Valley, east of San Diego. Justy and Ray were instrumental in the establishment of St. Francis Episcopal Church of Pauma Valley. This was inspired by Justy’s devout and strong spiritual beliefs.
Another business relocation sent Justy and Ray to San Francisco for several years, then a big move to Rio de Janeiro in 1980 for four years. Upon his retirement, Justy and Ray moved back to California and established their home in Montecito. Their final move was to Casa Dorinda, where they lived happily for more than 30 years.
Justy grew up in a family of music. Her father Wilbur was a concert pianist and composer. There was always beautiful music playing in their home, and she would often be found tapping her toe or air-conducting to the music. Justy was a patroness and volunteer at the Santa Barbara Music Academy, an organization very dear to her heart.
Not only a devoted wife and mother, but Justy also embraced an active lifestyle. Ray loved sailing so Justy learned to sail, too, as did their daughters. Justy sailed with a team of women who represented the Newport Beach Yacht Club in the national Adam’s Cup Regattas in 1963 to 1965.
Family weekends and vacations were often spent at Catalina Island aboard the Ole, Frank Person’s sailboat. Justy was also an avid golfer and competed in tournaments throughout her adult life.
Justy and Ray were members of the Red Hill Country Club, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, Pauma Valley Country Club, St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco Golf Club, Birnam Wood Country Club, Santa Barbara Yacht Club, and All Saints-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito.
After 61 years of a happy marriage, Ray passed away in 2009. Justy is survived by her daughters Sara Isaacs, Amy Young and Lisa Lopez (David); grandchildren David Arthur and Sam Lopez, and Allyson Mutch (Kevin).
Sara, Lisa and Amy thank the wonderful staff at the Casa Dorinda Medical Center who took such loving and compassionate care of their mother, and the incredible Assisted Hospice team who provided so much comfort and support in their time of need.
A family service is pending and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Casa Dorinda Employee Fund or the Santa Barbara Music Academy.