Maria Jesus Schoof

Maria de Jesus Schoof passed away on October 24th, in Carpinteria, California. She was born in 1931 in Guadalajara, Mexico, to Francisco and Michaela Gutierrez. She spent the first years of her life going to school and earning degrees in Nursing and business.At the age of 16 she began working for a prominent lawyer that had a street dedicated in his name. She was so proud of that and, her kids used to watch her write spanish in shorthand with amazement. She graduated from the University of Guadalajarabecoming an RN. with a specialty in obstetrics. She also worked as a midwife and would assist new mothers to deliver their babies at home. She also had a degree as a professional seamstress .She made wedding dresses and clothes for special occasions for family and friends. She could walk by a store, go home and make what she saw in the window. In 1959she came to the United States and worked at National Jewish hospital in Denver Colorado for many years in pediatrics. She then married in 1965 and had two children. In 1968 she moved to Santa Barbara California and worked as a nurse at St. Francis hospital, before purchasing a restaurant on upper State Street and naming it" Pizza Luau." Everybody loved "Maria's pizza."In 1969 her mother Michaela came to live with her, to help with the business and raise her grandchildren. Thirteen years later she sold the restaurant and returned to medicine as a private duty nurse. She was a gifted nurse, with natural medical instincts which made nursing her passion which was evident in the way she cared for her patients. She really did love everyone and made many friends throughout life. In Denver she would make Thai food with the resident doctors and nurses for dinner just about every night. This was one of her favorite memories, and as a result she never missed an opportunityto go out for Thai food with her best friend Mary.Her life long love of learning continued on as she became a student of God's word. She was baptized April 18th 1976, as one of Jehovah's witnesses. It was her personal desire to encourage people, and she did this by sharing comforting scriptures from the Bible about God's plan for a future full of health, happiness and peace. She set a beautiful example in heartfelt compassion by the way she lived her life, bringing such joy to the lives of others. Her family remembers everyone who knew her would say us how much they loved, and enjoyed her, and how she always had kind words for everyone. These are some of the beautiful memories we will always cherish.Later in life she battled dementia and Alzheimer's but, always had a big smile and lots of hugs for us. Her son David studied nursing in order to be her caregiver. She had David's constant care and attention everyday for many years. His devotion to her is what leaves us with a sense of great comfort. Maria or "Chuy" as she was known, will always be remembered as a hardworking wonderful woman who gave her all in everything she did.She also will be remembered as an accomplished, independent, professional woman, who came to a new county in 1953 on her own, assimilated into a new culture, learned a new language, opened up a business, and became a U.S. citizen. She set a beautiful example in how to love others genuinely from the heart. Her love of family and friends and their love of her is what leaves us full of gratitude. To all her friends who kept Mom close in their heart and in mind, we appreciate how much your help and prayers sustained us. One final and well deserved thank you from the family to the radio station KCSB you provided us with good company while caring for our Mother, your consistent programming and supportive thoughtful DJ's.Thank you Mom for the all the things you did for us. We will always think of you when we watch the sunset or see a jacaranda tree in bloom. We will carry on your legacy of love and true humanity, you will live vividly in our memories and hearts forever.Maria is survived by her son David of Carpinteria and Nancy Schoof Plude (Bob Plude) of Carpinteria as well as her grandchildren Sarah Plude and Christian Plude as well as many cousins. nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers the family asks that you please share an act of kindness or one of your favorite biblical passages with someone, in her memory.Arrangements under the direction of Smart Cremation, Santa Barbara, CA.