Janice Cutler

Janice Lynn Cutler (nee Gray) passed away at home on September 7, 2020. She was 73. Jan was born on February 20, 1947 to John and Irene Gray in Spokane, WA. She spent the first part of childhood among snowy winters and moved to the San Fernando Valley at 12. Here, she met her life-long best friend Debra Mipos and she was happy to never relocate from warm weather again. She graduated from San Fernando State College with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology in 1969. She married David Cutler in 1972 and their elder daughter was born in 1978. In 1981, the family relocated from the Los Angeles area to Orcutt where their younger daughter was born in 1983. Jan and Dave lived in the same home ever since, where many creative kids' birthdays, warm cozy Christmases, and lively book group discussions have been enjoyed. Jan and Dave took every opportunity to dance, from weddings to cover bands in the park. She ran the household, cooking every meal and packing every lunch. She kept the books, the calendar, and more photo albums than both closets can hold. She volunteered so much of her time and taught us all by example to live in service to things you value and people you care about. She advocated for women's equality and education, literacy, and libraries. She loved chocolate, and books, and got to meet her grandchildren and we are all so grateful. Jan was an active member of AAUW, serving as President in 1990, and in many other roles over the last 20 years including Public Policy Chair, Legal Advocacy Fund Chair, Tech Trek Chair, Friendship Chair, and Evening Book Club Chair, always advocating for women's equality and education for women and girls. She was an integral member of the Friends of the Orcutt Library, supporting the local branches and literacy advocacy, as well as helping launch the new Old Orcutt location. Annually, she interviewed college-bound students for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. Most recently she was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and the Food Bank, and she made a new social home at the Oasis Senior Center. She worked as a teacher's aide in the SMBSD at both Battles and Miller schools between 1989 and 2010, leading the youngest students in reading and language skills. She was a worrier who always stayed calm. A bit of a pessimist who smiled and laughed a lot. She thought she was shy, but collected a wealth of great friends. She was frugal but never suggested we not exchange plenty of gifts at the holidays. She collected pictures of doors, and Santas, and kept a handwritten address book by the phone. She wrote notes about each novel she read, but kept only a select few books on her shelves, many of which she re-read these past few months. She was patient, sincere, and a great hugger. Jan is survived by her husband David of 47 years, their children Chelsea (Lee) and Megan (Fabian) and her new grandchildren Colbie (17 mo) and Elliot (4 mo), as well as her siblings Michael, Marla, and Jeff, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.