Joan Rosemary Connolly (Winkler) passed away on July 9, 2023, at her home in Goleta, California, after a short battle with cancer.
She was born in San Francisco on December 1st, 1932, where she grew up. She moved from Homet Road in San Marino after 47 years in 2013 to be closer to her son Kevin and her grandchildren.
She is survived by her three sons and four grandchildren and her beloved cat Reggie, a Norwegian Forest. Her eldest son Erik Winkler lives in Kona, Hawaii, with his partner Donna Sue Shepherd. Kevin Winkler and his children Connor, Addison and their mother Rachel Kernoff reside in Goleta. Bret Winkler and her grandchildren Sabine and Vivian live in Portland with Reggie.
Joan was an avid skier. She skied Mammoth Mountain when it was in its infancy with just a tow rope while attending UCLA. She took her children to Mammoth and Mount Waterman often, and taught them to be expert skiers, too!
In 1953, when Joan was 20 and a senior at UCLA, she sailed from San Francisco onboard the SS Lurline to Oahu with her family’s friends. She was crowned “Miss Lurline” during the cruise to Honolulu. She also cruised inter-island to Kona on the Big Island during the monthlong stay in the islands. Erik and Donna Sue would always take her to the Kona Inn Restaurant to get her a Mai Tai and to hear her wonderful stories.
After graduating from UCLA in 1954 with a teaching degree, Joan’s first job was at Culver City High School where she taught business subjects. She enjoyed driving to work in her convertible Thunderbird.
During the 1970s, the Winkler family raised German Short-haired Pointers. Joan was the primary dog show handler of Heidi who became a show champion!
Our mother loved to travel and has been around the world a couple of times. She also lived overseas in Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.
Joan was a bright wonderful mother with a beautiful smile. She always encouraged her sons to make the most out of life. She supported ALL of their scouting, athletic, sporting and adventurous pursuits. All while working full-time as executive assistant.
Joan considered herself an “accidental artist” because she only began drawing around 2010 with the encouragement of Bret and his daughters. She preferred drawing with pencils and pastels. She loved drawing landscapes, lighthouses as well as animals from old photos and artwork. She participated in numerous art shows where she lived in Goleta.
Joan will be interned at Forest Lawn in Glendale with her father John and mother Violet Connolly, as well as her aunt Evelyn Hepburn.
Joan’s Memorial Service will be held on September 9th, 2023, in Goleta at Maravilla. For more information, please call Kevin Winkler at (805) 705-3975 or email: kbwinkler@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that individuals consider making a donation to the Santa Barbara Humane Society (www.sbhumane.org) in honor of Joan Rosemary Connolly.
