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Joanna Wogulis
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Joanna Wogulis Obituary
1940 - 2025
On September 28th, 2025, Joanna C. Wogulis, a pioneering women 's advocate, dedicated Marriage and Family Therapist, and devoted mother, passed away peacefully in her son 's home in Santa Barbara. She was 85.
Joanna, lovingly known to her family and childhood friends as Joni, was born on April 14th, 1940, in Yonkers, New York, to her parents, Joseph and Irene Schwartz. After graduating from Yonkers High School, she earned her teaching degree from Oswego College in New York. Her early career as an elementary school teacher laid the foundation for a lifetime of nurturing and advocacy.
Joanna was a passionate and proud feminist who translated her belief in equal opportunities for all into action. A tireless pioneer in the Santa Ynez Valley, she founded the Rape Crisis Center and co-founded WeWatch, a women's environmental advocacy group. She also served as the chair of the Santa Barbara County Women's Commission. A shrewd strategist, Joanna was instrumental in organizing discussion groups and encouraging women to run for office, all while demonstrating a necessary sense of humor in the face of setbacks. She was up for anything, petitioning, marching, and speaking up at public meetings to protest inequities, ensuring women who were spokespersons for progressive changes were publicly acknowledged.
Driven by her innate need to help others, she returned to school to earn her master's degree and became a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), providing steadfast support for valley residents for 30 years. Even in her final days, her profound concern for others remained; her hospice nurse noted that no matter how difficult her own condition was, Joanna always asked after the nurse's welfare. She was a woman of rare spirit, and anyone who knew her was grateful to call her their friend.
Joanna is survived by her sons, Dan La Berge, Jim Wogulis, Mark Wogulis, and her nieces Diane Bailey and Wendy Lampl, grandchildren, Hudson, Lilia, Lukas, Samuel, Michael, Danielle, and Linda.
A Celebration of Joanna's Life will be held at Pico restaurant in Los Alamos on November 9th at 1:00 PM.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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RICHARD mamoru NOCIS
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Joni you helped me during a tough time in my life! God bless you!
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