Sheila Lodge: 1929-2026.
The former mayor's indefatigable vitality, unquenchable spirit and bottomless supply of caring about her adopted hometown made her a singular historic figure in shaping the beauty of Santa Barbara.
(Editor's note: Sheila Lodge, Santa Barbara's first woman mayor and one of the most praiseworthy community heroes in its history, died on Wednesday at the age of 97. Nick Welsh, appropriately, broke the news with a splendid tribute to her remarkable life and work. Sheila was a great supporter and loyal viewer of Newsmakers TV — among other things, after berating us for years for using as our Zoom background a photo she said made the town look like it was on fire, she finally sent us an image from the courthouse tower she had taken herself, now our regular backdrop — and made multiple appearances on the show to discuss a myriad of civic controversies and soap operas. In 2020, she spoke to us at length when her long-awaited history of local land use planning — "An Uncommonplace American Town: Urban Planning History in Santa Barbara — A Personal View" — was published. We repost the interview today in honor of her friendship and her consequential life, well lived. RIP.—jr).
(Image: In February 2025, the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors honored Sheila Lodge for her lifetime achievements (Josh Molina photo for Noozhawk).
OH! This hit me like a ton of bricks. It is so appropriate that you and Nick Welsh put out the word first. Sheila was a GEM - kind, caring, and she really dedicated herself to Santa Barbara her whole and wonderful life. RIP, Sheila Lodge. ❤️
Sheila was a lifesaver for our little at the time community, which had grown so much to be almost a different place.
She was always listening and trying to do the best for everyone. a leader who backed up her words with positive deeds.
I remember one day on the way up the hill to the mesa, she was pulling weeds along the road and trimming, smiling and enjoying folks walking by on the sidewalk.
She will be missed.