Lynne LeCouvre

Lynne was born on March 20, 1941 in Boise, Idaho to her widowed mother, Jean Marie Bruegger (nee Fleetwood) who later married USAF Lt. Earle S. Millichamp when Lynne was a year and a half. As the daughter of an Air Force officer, Lynne grew up attending schools wherever her father was stationed. She attributed the many different schools and social environments, as well as the warm-hearted and welcoming nature of her parents, to her affinity for all sorts of people and cultures. Lynne's love and compassion for people was apparent to all who knew her or were fortunate to cross her path, and guided her choices in educational, volunteer, and career pursuits

Lynne possessed a boundless curiosity about human nature and the formation of the inner self. Compelled by her desire to understand the connection between early life influences and evolving identities that shape life choices, she began a lifelong journey of contemplation, self-discovery, and enlightenment. Lynne believed in endless possibilities. She believed that the continuation of one's growth and evolution is limitless, vital and life-affirming. She believed each person has a divine purpose in this world, and most importantly, that we are all here on this planet to help one another. Lynne lived by the axiom: non nobis solum nati sumus, "not for ourselves alone are we born."

As a young mother, Lynne became a church school teacher, enrolled in early childhood development classes, and began volunteering to serve others in need. Her efforts in the service of humanity never ceased. Gen. James H. Doolittle remarked, "Volunteers are love in motion." His sentiment describes Lynne perfectly. Some of her heart-work included volunteering for an inner city mission organization in Phoenix, Arizona; working as an AmeriCorps VISTA tutor for students studying for their GEDs; serving as a crisis line volunteer; and acting as night supervisor for Sunflower House in Corvallis, Oregon, which provided crisis intervention, youth services and emergency shelter. Lynne also volunteered for an organization that worked with the blind and with another group assisting children and adults with special needs. Lynne was active in women's support groups, and was a passionate proponent of the Women's Movement and equal rights. She enjoyed fundraising for the American Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Days. Being in the midst of flowers was her bliss.

In her thirties, while her three children were attending school, Lynne earnestly began her pursuit of higher education, with her dream goal of obtaining an MSW degree with a concentration in mental health. Lynne was specifically focused on becoming an addiction counselor. During the many years of her continuing education, Lynne attended community colleges, as well as Oregon State University and Marylhurst University. Parallel to her academic journey, Lynne built a varied career history in a range of roles: State of Oregon financial caseworker; assistant in Development at UCLA; several positions in the medical field, including as Executive Assistant to the team surgeon for the Los Angeles Lakers; student liaison for Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara; publisher's rep in the field of sourcebook publishing for commercial art and photography, several times honored as a $1M seller; art gallery marketing director; and manager of two fundraising shops located on the campus of prestigious Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. Two of Lynne's proudest achievements were launching her own arts representational firm, contracting talented fine artists and photographers; and, with the assistance of her daughter and son-in-law, establishing Serendipity Resale Shop in Santa Barbara, benefitting NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Health.

A natural athlete, running, playing tennis, and swimming (especially ocean swimming) were Lynne's favorite sports activities in which she excelled. Lynne's love of dogs began in her childhood, when she grew up with family pets—including Springer Spaniels Ike and Mamie, whom her mother entered into show competition. As a teenager, Lynne achieved accolades as a junior dog handler in AKC dog shows. Later in life, rescuing and locating missing dogs became a passion of her heart. Lynne started a dog walking business called Lynne's Dog Walking Service, using the motto, "Happy dogs take lots of walks."

She lived contentedly for four decades in Santa Barbara, her favorite city by the sea, where she loved walking the serene beaches and flower-filled neighborhoods. During her final five years, Lynne resided at Laguna Gardens Apartments with her beloved rescue dog, Marceau. There, she formed many cherished friendships within her senior community.

Lynne was a seeker of beauty and truth in art, music, literature and nature. A line from Robert Browning’s “Paracelsus “ - "There is an inmost center in us all, where truth abides in fullness” - resonated in her psyche, and wove through her life of self-reflection. Lynne sought unique and meaningful experiences to enrich her soul. She delved into art, music, and writing classes. At OSU FM Radio, she worked as a late night jazz DJ, her mellifluous voice being exceptionally suited for the genre. Lynne's adventurous spirit led her to crew on an OSU oceanography expedition. She traveled to Sweden, her grandmother's homeland, to meet and foster bonds with relatives.

Lynne found joy in all things flowers, planting and tending to her gardens which thrived under her loving care; painting daffodils, hyacinths and lilacs in oil on canvas; and filling her home with flowering plants like orchids, violets, and Christmas cactus. Lynne would scatter wildflower seeds to grace the earth with surprising beauty, and often reminded her sister to do the same. Wherever she resided, Lynne created an environment of tranquil beauty and comfort. Vividly painted abstract art hung on the walls. Crystals floated in windows, filling the rooms with dancing rainbows and light. Books of poetry, short stories, psychology, photography and art, as well as novels by favorite authors, adorned her shelves and lay bookmarked on coffee tables and bedside nightstands beside gifted and found treasures of shells, stones, stained glass boxes, Buddha statues, animal figurines, and meditation chimes. Lynne made her home a peaceful haven where family and friends were lovingly welcome to abide.

A true creative and an unyielding optimist, Lynne expressed herself through her exceptional writing and remarkable photography. She wrote short stories, essays, and screenplays, and developed a comedy television series titled, "Roger, Do You Copy?" To entertain her school-age children on long car trips, Lynne would improvise mesmerizing stories as she drove the many miles to their destinations. The car would be filled with the wonder and laughter of her captivated kids. In her personal writings, Lynne expressed her heart's desire to show kindness to all whose paths she crossed, even to passersby, as one can never know the pain they may be experiencing. She believed in the adage "the eyes are the window to the soul", and knew the healing power of a tender glance and warm smile which she offered generously, her incandescent sky-blue eyes connecting soul to soul with a fellow traveler on their earthbound journey. May we all strive to follow in Lynne's gentle footsteps.

Gifted with a keen, insightful mind, and captivating wit, Lynne elicited joy and laughter in all whose company she kept. Her sense of humor was sweet, dry and spontaneous; at once charming and disarming. She wouldn't miss a beat, as the saying goes, in delivering an acute observation or in telling a seemingly mundane story of the day's happenings. Lynne's entranced listeners would often gasp with glee, or laugh till tears spilled from their eyes. She was often encouraged to write an entertaining every day life column for a local newspaper.

Lynne was walking sunshine; she glided into the room with a natural Nordic beauty and inherent grace. She loved the song “You Are My Sunshine” and would sing it to people and animals alike with her soft, silvery voice. Lynne was our sunshine, lovely in every way.

"I wish to live with wisdom, style and grace, to share the beauty of life with all I encounter, to feel the fire and strength of my courage in all my endeavors, and to express myself through writing." Lynne LeCouvre

Among those beloved souls who greeted Lynne on the other side of the veil were her son, Brett LeCouvre; her parents, Earle and Jean Millichamp; her brother, John Millichamp and his wife, Raili; uncle, Norman Millichamp; uncle, Wade Fleetwood; aunt, Betty Lou McCutchen; and cousins, Karen Dorris and Janie Heath.

Lynne's beloved family members who remain in this earthly realm include son, Rory Lecouvre (Kristin) and grandson, Brandon LeCouvre; daughter, Laura Goodell (Peter) and grandchildren, Tanner Goodell and Elise Goodell; sister, Molly Wryn Young (JD Young); niece, Emily Wryn (Dan Troon-Sazani) and sons, Theo Biolley and Lincoln Biolley; niece, Lauren Harper and sons, Jayden Williams (Madi), Spencer Williams, Rylan Williams and Case Williams; nephew, Brad S. Millichamp (Kim) and sons, Austin Millichamp (son Syrus) and Jacob Millichamp; and nephew, Eric Millichamp. Many beloved earthly cousins include Dana Larson (Dan) and children, Nick Schulgen and Jessica Schulgen; Kristin Oppenheim and daughter, Erin Joy Carden (Zall Hirschstein); Erik Oppenheim and his nephew, Tiewan McMillian; John Erwin (Marcy) and daughter, Lexi Erwin; Fleetwood “Daughters Five”: Debra Deering ((C.B), Tara Houghton (Robin), Marta Snapp (Mark), Sandra Light (George), and Melinda Burroughs (Chip); Paul Bergman (Mirjami) and children, Anna Bergman and Eric Bergman (Marina); Ethan Bergman (Carla) and children, Luke Bergman, Sara Bergman and Isak Bergman; Hakan Bergman (Jeannette) and children, Maria Bergman and Daniel Hedman Bergman (Victoria).

Lynne's beloved, adorable little rascal dog companion, Marceau, is thriving and enjoying his pampered life in Idaho.

An informal celebration of life for Lynne is planned for May 16, 2026 in Santa Barbara, California."Approaching Lavender", by Gordon Lightfoot, is the music Lynne requested for her celebration. As you listen to this mysterious and ethereal song, you will hear an echo of her spirit. Lynne's family encourages everyone who loved Lynne to celebrate her life in ways meaningful to them. Walk along the beach. Wear lavender. Kiss the furry face of a dog. Carry wildflower seeds in your pocket, and scatter them upon the earth in random places. Perhaps you will feel a whisper of Lynne's presence or glimpse her radiant smile.

If your heart feels moved to donate to one of Lynne's charitable causes, she would suggest the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society or an animal rescue organization of your choice, Santa Barbara Wellness Center, NAMI, Autism Society, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Lynne's family wishes to convey our profound gratitude to the compassionate hospice team at Dignity Health Hospice of Santa Maria, California, for their benevolent, sacred work with Lynne, and for their unending kindness to our family. Heartfelt thanks to Viki, Paul, Ed, Christine, Dr. Matthew Katics, and Chaplain Israel.

Our family remains forever grateful to Lynne's beloved friends who graciously and tenderly watched over Lynne as her health was rapidly declining, for their enduring friendships that blessed and enriched her life with loving companionship, fascinating conversation, spirited adventures, delicious food, wondrous surprises, and sheer joy.

"One short sleep past, we wake eternally and death shall be no more" - John Donne, Holy Sonnet X