It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Jana Winters Young in Santa Barbara, on April 13, 2024.
Born in Culver City on June 18, 1954, Jana attended Palms Jr. High then Hamilton High School through her junior year. In 1971, the Winters moved to Beverly Hills where Jana completed her senior year at Beverly Hills High and met the love of her life, Jeffrey Young. They graduated high school together in 1972. Jana became a dental hygienist, practiced for a while then briefly moved to Honolulu where she sold real estate.
Jeffrey and Jana married in 1984 in Santa Barbara. Their children Jared, Jason, and Alyssa soon followed. Jana taught Iyengar Yoga, loved to cook, travel (favorite destinations were Yosemite, England, France, and Italy), and walk her poodles along Shoreline Drive and Hendry’s Beach.
Jana was vivacious, a bright spark and with her bubbly personality, beautiful red hair, playful sense of humor, adventurous spirit, and colorful fashion choices, she brought life to every party. She loved her family and friends, was their biggest supporter, and very generous with them.
Jana was a doer. If you wanted something done everyone knew Jana was the person who would make it happen. Jana was not shy about sharing her opinion. She had a soft spot for those in need or anyone who was just plain lonely and needed a sympathetic ear – while many benefited from her sage advice on relationships. Jana loved a good piece of dark chocolate and watching cute firemen.
Jana is survived by her husband Jeffrey, sons Jared (Shira) and Jason (Devin), daughter Alyssa (Dan), and three grandchildren (Leonardo, Carmel-Rose and Ariel) who were so precious to her, her mother Barbara Winters and brother Dr. Robert Winters (Laurie), seven nephews, two nieces and a huge group of friends. Jana is predeceased by her father Nathan Winters and her sister Elissa Dalkey.
Our hearts are broken by this unexpected loss. Jana will be sorely missed by all of those that she’s left behind. She was one-of-a-kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.
A Celebration of Life service was held at Elings Park on April 19, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences can be sent to jeffreyyoung7@gmail.com.