Rosemary Patricia Hester

Rosemary Patricia Hester (née Lynch)

March 5, 1930 - January 2, 2026

Rosemary was born on March 5, 1930, in Santa Barbara, California. Deeply rooted in her Catholic faith and Spanish heritage, she remained, at heart and in spirit, a Santa Barbaran her entire life. She grew up there, built her life there, and belonged to the fabric of the town itself—a link to an older Santa Barbara, a simpler time quietly fading. She was known in Santa Barbara for her daily routines, café stops, and regular walks to Our Lady of Sorrows, her childhood church. A devoted walker well into her nineties, Rosemary valued friendship, conversation, independence, and the simple pleasure of belonging to a community. She maintained deep and lasting friendships across decades, staying closely connected not only to her friends but also to their children—relationships she valued deeply and carried with her throughout her life. She was, in every sense of the word, a real lady. She attended Santa Barbara Catholic High School, also known as Dolores School, where she was the salutatorian of her graduating class, and later pursued French studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Spanish was her native tongue, and she later studied Italian, French, and German.

An avid football fan, Rosemary cheered and jumped to her feet at every Notre Dame and San Francisco 49ers score, her enthusiasm unmistakable. She once aspired to be a sports journalist, drawn to the excitement of football and the stories behind the game. Rosemary worked for Sentry Insurance, the Santa Barbara News-Press, and Santa Barbara County Health Services, where she spent the latter part of her career. After retiring, she traveled extensively around the world, embracing new places with curiosity, confidence, and joy.

In early 2022, Rosemary relocated to Corralitos, California, to live with her daughter Nicole and her husband, Patrick. In October 2023, she made her final, brave move to Ecuador, embracing life there fully. Her life came full circle there, as she returned to her Spanish roots and mother tongue. In Ecuador, she lived fully and vibrantly, surrounded by animals, fresh food, lively gatherings, and deep companionship. The night before her death, she requested a good cup of coffee with real cream, thoughtfully preparing for a journey she imagined would take her back to Santa Barbara. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 2, 2026, in Ayampe, Ecuador.

Rosemary is survived by her brother, Jack Lynch, and his wife, Mary, of San Francisco, and their son, Geoffrey Lynch; and her four daughters: Andrea Giovannoni of Turin, Italy; Kim Brigham and her husband, Tim, of Arroyo Grande; Stephanie Barrett and her husband, Robert, of Vienna, Austria; and Nicole Bitter and her husband, Patrick, of Corralitos. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren spanning five generations, all of whom she loved very deeply.

During her final years in Ecuador, Rosemary's granddaughter, Jenica Brigham, and her husband, Cesar, lovingly cared for her, ensured her comfort, shared meals with her, and filled her days with animals and companionship in the beautiful home they designed and built for her.

Rosemary is dearly missed by her loved ones, including her beloved turtle, Ollie. A graveside memorial and burial will take place in March at Santa Barbara Calvary Cemetery. Loved ones and friends will be notified as the date approaches.

*In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to La Cosecha de los Sueños, an Ecuadorian orphanage she supported and cared deeply about:

https://www.lacosechakids.org/wear-the-cause/p/donations