Shirley Z. Dettmann, known as “Z for Zimney,” passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96. A resident of Goleta for over 50 years, she arrived in the summer of 1972 with her husband, Don and their four children: Julie, Andrew, Jean, and Steve.
A Life Shaped by Movement and the Arts
Born in Milwaukee in 1929, Shirley was one of three sisters from a Polish-American family. All three daughters attended the University of Wisconsin, becoming the first in their family to attend college. While in Madison, Shirley contributed to the Daily Cardinal and later joined the staff of the Capital Times after graduating in 1952.
Shirley met Don while participating in the Milwaukee Civic Light Opera, where he playfully “forgot” his music to ask to share hers. They were married for over 43 years until Don’s passing in 1999, and their shared love of music and performance remained a central part of their family life.
Community Advocate and Arts Champion
Shirley was deeply involved in the Goleta community, serving on the PTA at La Patera Elementary and Goleta Valley Junior High. She became a director of the PTA Creative Arts Co-op, an after-school program offering instruction in various arts disciplines to elementary students.
Her commitment to the arts extended to the county level. She was appointed to the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, where she authored the percent-for-arts plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors. In 1983, she co-founded The Arts Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting arts organizations throughout the county. She also volunteered as a docent at the Santa Barbara Art Museum, leading tours and traveling to museums in Bilbao, Kyoto, and New York City. Shirley received a Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award in 2016.
Shirley was also active in the American Association of University Women and Community Friends of Santa Barbara, formerly the Assistance League, serving as treasurer. She volunteered with Catholic Charities and Handicapables and was a longtime lector at St. Mark’s University Parish.
Those who knew Shirley remember her as a sharp, adventurous individual who enjoyed theater, Bridge, travel, and intellectual pursuits. She was a devoted mother to Julie, Andrew, Jean, and Steve, and a proud grandmother to Ben, Emily, Molly, Nathan, Ethan, Lily, Evie, Lauren, and Grant, and great-grandmother to Natalie and Isaac.
Funeral arrangements are pending, and the family requests that those wishing to honor Shirley’s memory consider donating to The Arts Fund (https://artsfundsb.org/) or Community Friends of Santa Barbara (https://cfofsb.org.).
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Shirley Dettmann move to Goleta?
Shirley Dettmann moved to Goleta in the summer of 1972 with her husband and four children.
What was Shirley Dettmann’s professional background?
Shirley Dettmann wrote for the Daily Cardinal and later worked at the Capital Times after graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1952.
What organizations did Shirley Dettmann co-found?
Shirley Dettmann co-founded The Arts Fund in 1983.
What lasting impact will Shirley Dettmann’s dedication to the arts have on the Santa Barbara community?
