Obituary of Lynette Marie Seibel

Dominican Hospital after a three year struggle with cancer. At her passing were her parents and longtime partner.Born in Lodi, CA on August 29, 1969 to Loren and Claudine Seibel, Lynette grew up in the small agricultural community. A down to earth intelligence and capacity for hard work provided the foundation for her future success in school and career. She graduated from Lodi High School in 1987 with California Seal Bearer High Honors followed by an AA degree at Delta Community College in Stockton, CA. UCSC drew her to Santa Cruz where she completed her BA in 1991. Returning to The Central Valley, she gained a Masters in Education from University of The Pacific (1995). She garnered a second Masters of Education from San Jose State (2008) during her teaching years in Santa Cruz. Her educational achievements were all the more remarkable considering she worked one or more jobs climbing each step of the academic ladder. Lynette's career in special education began helping severely emotionally challenged children at the non - public North Valley School in Victor, CA. Although this difficult teaching environment might have turned many from such a career, it struck a deep well of compassion and concern in her and sparked the belief that much good could come from even the most unfortunate beginnings. In 1996 Lynette realized a dream to return to Santa Cruz with her hiring as a special day class teacher at Mission Hill Middle School. Her 11 years there brought her great satisfaction and shaped her into the talented educator she became. A hallmark of her time there was her willingness to take on any task presented her from talent show coordinator to spring break trip organizer and chaperone. Perhaps most memorable, was her transformation of a run down home economics room assigned to her into M H Café where lessons in school and lessons in life were filtered through the lens of a working restaurant. M H Café was a testament to her capacity to recognize and unleash potential within a child or the circumstances in which a child is placed. Even though she loved her colleagues and students at Mission Hill, Lynette's drive and desire to make a wider impact on the Santa Cruz school system lead her to become an administrator at Santa Cruz City Schools. In three years she moved from the position of program specialist to Director of Special Education. In those same three years that she took on the challenge of redefining her career she also faced a devastating illness that altered and ultimately ended her life. She walked both paths with a quiet and courageous determination to succeed and overcome. If you asked friends and family to recall Lynette they would acknowledge the highly capable multitasker that they knew and depended on. But deeper than that was something more special: a person without pretense who truly put others before herself and valued relationships above the accumulation of things. There was the easy smile and warm demeanor so genuinely given, you felt comfortable and welcome in her presence. Her abiding love of family brought comfort and security. She took great pleasure in helping others realize the joy and satisfaction that life could bring even when her own life was diminishing day by day. Most of all, there was the indefatigable, sometimes wild optimism that surrounded her and said be happy, life is a gift. Use it well. When not working, a perfect day for Lynette would encompass traveling, especially along the coast, and a simple, well-cooked meal whether it be at Duarte's in Pescadero or The Slanted Door in San Francisco. She would frequent farmer's markets, collect cookbooks and watch endless episodes of Top Chef in search of inspiration for the perfect meal. Lynette excelled as a trip organizer and her family warmly recalls many wonderful adventures that she set in motion. And nothing pleased her more than experiencing those adventures with her nieces and nephews who she adored. In each community there are some who give inordinately of their time, talent and being - they create a better place for all of us. Lynette was one of these people; she will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. We will always carry her in our hearts. Lynette is survived by her longtime partner, John Gose of Santa Cruz; her mother and father, Claudine and Loren Seibel of Lodi; brother, Scott and sister in law, Samantha Seibel of Placerville, CA; uncles, Don Seibel and Calvin Heib, both of Lodi; aunts, Cindy Spurr of Texas, Mary Heib of Washington, and Dolores (Auntie) Munro of Lodi; numerous cousins; and her beloved nieces and nephews, Hannah, Isabelle, Robbie and Benjamin Seibel of Placerville; and her feline companion Tigger. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alfred and Alma Seibel and Clifford and Armeta Heib; aunts, Virginia Seibel, Leona (Nonie) Guglimetti and Lori Kelly; uncle, Frank Guglimetti. A celebration of life service is pending in Santa Cruz, CA. Memorial contributions can be made to: The Lynette Seibel Scholarship, c/o Santa Cruz City Schools, Attn: SCCS Finance Dept, 405 Old San Jose Rd., Bldg 300, Soquel CA 95073.