Obituary for Gerogina “Geo” Howen Georgina “Geo” Mimmack Howen was born on February 5th, 1928, to Rufus F. and Georgina I. Mimmack (Smillie) at the Vorbeck Maternity Hospital in Los Angeles, California. She passed away peacefully, with her family at her side, on May 23rd, 2018, just a few months after her 90th birthday. Mom grew up in La Crescenta, and would often talk about her childhood home, which the family lost when the 210 freeway was built.
She would always talk of her time in the United Presbyterian Church, and she stayed in contact with many for much of her life. The church was the venue for her wedding to Thomas Colin Howen in 1961. Before meeting Colin, mom was mostly referred to as “Jeannie” or “Gina” by friends and family.
She was a lover of the outdoors and made the decision to follow her father in his vocation as a teacher. She attended a few secondary education institutions, but received her associates degree from Pasadena City College, and then her teaching credential from San Diego State University, with an emphasis in Physical Education. As with her father, she was hired by the Los Angeles Unified School District and began working as a PE teacher and substitute.
Her natural affection for hiking and camping, along with her ability and experience with teaching physical fitness to teenagers, was the basis of her being hired as a summer camp counselor with the Camp Fire Girls. This proved to be the beginning of a long-standing passion for mom, as she volunteered in many different capacities for decades with the organization. Mom would go on to apply for an opportunity to be a counselor with YWCA at a camp in Mendocino.
Mom and dad met at an end-of-summer party at the home of the director of the camp, a woman named Emelita Cohen, after the ladies both returned from a summer together at Timbertall. Once married, mom continued to teach as a PE teacher. She held a “Life Diploma” credential from the California State Board of Education, which she was very proud of and used to support many of her volunteer positions.
Geo was the consummate volunteer, generous with her time, talents and treasure. The list of people she helped, groups she belonged to and organizations that she was a part of is long. At the top of the list was Camp Fire Girls, the Moreland School District, Stephen’s Ministries, Good Samaritan Hospital, and various missional activities at both Saratoga Federated Church and South Hills Community Church.
She was a “10+” gallon donor at the Stanford Blood Bank, and knitted more blankets, sweaters, beanies and pot-holder’s than could be counted. In 2006, mom made the decision to move from San Jose to Santa Barbara. It was difficult at first because of having to leave behind her amazing groups of friends and the neighborhood.
She moved into the guest house of the property that she picked out with Marshall, and really liked to tell people that she “lived in the back yard”. Geo was no stranger to Santa Barbara either, having spent a lot of time already due to trips for holidays, musicals, games and matches, momentous events and other adventures. Once she settled in, she found herself once again in the middle of a few wonderful groups of friends at Trinity Baptist Church, and then Santa Barbara Community Church.
She continued to do what she could to assist with care giving, providing help at church events, knit articles to be sold for the benefit of Royal Kid’s Camp and other groups. Geo was so thankful, too, for her group of Sunday school friends and the “lunch bunch,” and for her homegroup that loved on her and cared for her so well. Mom will be missed by many and leaves behind her brother Dr. Fred Mimmack (wife Barbara) and his family; daughter, Helen Wieland (husband Ken); her son Marshall (wife Celia); 2 grandchildren, one great-grandchild (due in November); and, an extended family of adopted grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins and dear lifelong friends.
Memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 23rd, at 11:00 with reception to follow, at Santa Barbara Community Church – 1002 Cieneguitas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. Upcoming Events Memorial 2018 JUN 23. 11:00 AM Santa Barbara Community Church 1002 Cieneguitas Road Santa Barbara, CA, US, 93110 www.
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