Lucy Birzis

Lucy passed away peacefully on April 6, 2012, at Serenity House after a brief Illness. Lucy was born 6/19/19 in Subacius, Lithania. Her family consisting of her father, Paul and mother, Stefania Birzis and Lucy immigrated to the U.S. in 1923 and settled in Philadelphia, Pa. Lucy attended local schools and graduated from U. of Penn in Philadelphia with a BA in chemistry in 1940. In 1943 she earned a MA in physics from U. of Idaho and finished her formal education at UCLA with a Ph.D. In zoology in 1955. She became a neuro- physiologist and worked at several universities, including U. of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., UCLA, and Stanford. A Santa Barbara resident for over 44 years, she belonged to the Santa Barbara Music Club and the Santa Barbara Art Association. She volunteered at the gift shop of the Botanical Garden and the Museum of Natural History and made lovely items to be sold there. In April, 1998, she moved to Vista del Monte Retirement Center and enjoyed living there very much. She was a life-long learner and took up both Spanish and French at their activities there. Writing poetry in either language was a joy for her. Lucy is survived by a niece, Daiva Carneckis of Warrenton, Va., and relatives still living in Lithania. Lucy's legacy is one of being a good friend to many and creating wonderful pieces of art work. Her ease of conveying beauty is a reminder of her exceptional talent. At Lucy's request, there will be no services.