Sybil Rosen was born in Chicago on Feb. 7, 1940. She passed away peacefully on Jan. 29 at home.

Sybil will be remembered by her loving family and numerous friends for fun and gracious spirit, and her tireless commitment to serving the residents and the arts in Santa Barbara.

Sybil moved with her family to Los Angeles at age 13, and attended John Borroughs Jr. High School and later Fairfax High School, where she thrived and formed lifelong friendships.

Sybil was a good student and focused on practical studies that would ensure her ability to find work.

At a young age, Sybil found joy in volunteering and served the Foundation for Junior Blind and Jewish Family Service West LA in the years from 1955 through 1986.

She found work as a dental assistant, and continued in that field for many years. After high school graduation in 1959 she married Gary Speckman. They ended their marriage in 1961.

Sybil met Dr. Bernard Rosen while working in his dental practice. They eventually married in 1964 and lived on the beach in Malibu, California. They had a loving, adventurous life together and enjoyed traveling throughout the world. Sadly, she lost her beloved husband to leukemia in 1984.

Sybil moved to Montecito in February 1989 to start a new chapter of her life.

Determined to meet kind, caring people, she began volunteering at Santa Barbara Central Library Adult Literacy Program as a tutor. This was the beginning of a long career as a volunteer, fundraiser and participant in numerous Santa Barbara community nonprofit organizations.

The first of these was Family Service Agency where she was chair of the Annual Children’s Festival for many years, and served on the Board of Directors as president and fund development chair.

Her other community positions included serving on the boards of Casa Serena Women’s Recovery Homes, Ensemble Theatre, the New Vic, Montecito Association, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, on the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Collectors Council, Habitat For Humanity major gifts committee, Women’s Fund member, and assisted the Santa Barbara Symphony in development and events.

She had significant impact on all these organizations with her passion, enthusiasm, her effectiveness in fundraising, and in her personal generosity.

Sybil married her longtime friend, Robert Fisher, in 2005. They shared a love of art and travel. Together they built a magnificent art collection, which brought them much joy. Robert passed away in 2009.

Sybil had a wide network of friends and colleagues who shared her passion for helping others and supporting the arts. She was a loving, caring person and had a great sense of humor.

Her generosity and enthusiasm will be remembered by so many organizations, community members, friends and family.

Sybil is survived by her loving nephew and nieces John Contini (Janice), Nora Contini, Barbara Contini (Patrick McDonnell and their children Jeremy Franklin, Emma Stubbs and Lena McDonnell), and Paul Klein.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined.