On Dec. 23, 2020, Lois Mina Gadsby, loving grandma, passed away suddenly at the age of 95.

Lois was born on May 24, 1925 in Los Angeles to Ernest and Wanda Culverwell. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Lois received her bachelor’s degree in home economics with a minor in art craft from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1948.

In 1949, she married Hew Gadsby, and they raised three sons, Bob, Jim and Bill, and one daughter Mattie in Santa Barbara. Lois taught home economics at Bishop Diego High School and English at the Kanto Gakuin Women’s College in Yokohama, Japan.

She moved from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria in 2004, and was active in the community well into her 90s.

She traveled throughout the United States and visited an impressive number of countries. In 2015, she was recognized for her service in the navy with a trip to Washington, D.C., through Honor Flight.

Like her mother, Lois was very creative. She was skilled at cross-stitch, painting, sewing and knitting.

She was adored by her grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to celebrate their graduations, weddings, baby showers, and other milestones. She started a family tradition of giving each grandchild a special Christmas ornament each year.

She loved Broadway musicals and volunteered regularly at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) in Santa Maria and Solvang. She was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, a regular volunteer at the veteran’s clinic, and served on many committees for various organizations, including the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

She made friends wherever she went and participated in many games, activities, and community events at her home in Merrill Gardens, Santa Maria.

Lois was preceded in death by her mother Wanda; her father Ernest; her son Bob; daughter-in-law Deanna; and her great grandson Conner. She is survived by her children Jim, Mattie and Bill; daughter-in-law Leslie; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be planned at Bethel Lutheran Church in Santa Maria after stay-at-home orders have ended. Donations may be sent to Honor Flight of Central CoastCA www.honorflightccc.org  Honor Flight Central Coast California, PO Box 1750 Paso Robles, CA 93447.