Family releases obituary for Christie Stanley

Posted: Apr 28, 2010 8:15 AM by Emily Kiefer
Updated: Dec 30, 2010 4:11 PM

The family of Christie Stanley and Acting District Attorney Ann Bramsen have released the following obituary for the former Santa Barbara County District Attorney. Stanley died on Sunday after a long battle with lung cancer. Her funeral is planned for 10 a.m. Friday at the Pacific Christian Center in Santa Maria.

Christie Ann Stanley
July 21, 1948-April 25, 2010

Christie Stanley age 61 in her final days was surrounded by family and friends that were very near and dear to her heart. She passed away on April 25th 2010 at her home in Santa Maria, CA with her husband at her side due to a long struggle with lung cancer.

Some of Christie's interests were golfing, knitting, camping, traveling; enjoying her family and having sleep over's with her grandchildren.

Christie was born in San Fernando California and enjoyed racing midget cars in her younger years with her brother Jerry, later moving to Santa Barbara County where she graduated in the top of her class from Lompoc High School in 1966. She went on to attend Ventura College of Law where she graduated Magna Cum Laude while raising her two daughters.

She spent two years in private practice before she joined the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office in 1980. She was the first female prosecutor in the North County Offices and in 1984 Christie was recognized as Deputy District Attorney of the Year. In 1991, Christie was promoted to the position of Assistant District Attorney for the North County Offices. She prosecuted hundreds of cases including murders, rapes, gang cases, arson and had a nearly perfect conviction record.

Christie Stanley was elected to the position of District Attorney of Santa Barbara County in 2006 by a vote of nearly 70 percent of the people. She was the first woman elected as District Attorney in the history of Santa Barbara County, serving as an important role model to countless young girls and prosecutors alike. In 2009, California State Senator Tony Strickland presented her with the 19th District "Woman of the Year" Award. On January 29, 2010 her illness forced her to retire prematurely.

Christie supported many local charitable and community based organizations, particularly those benefiting youth. She leaves behind a strong legacy for prosecutors who strive to be as exceptional as she was inside and outside the courtroom. Her death is a tragic loss to the California Criminal Justice System and the community in which she lived and served.

Christie is survived by her husband Gary Stanley; her mother Jeanette Claycamp; her children Renee Edman of Lompoc, CA and Dawn Wright of Valencia, CA; her stepchildren Mark Stanley, Ryan Stanley and Tami Millican; her grandchildren Colby Edman, Cayden Edman, Kinsley Edman, Nolan Tooley and Nicholas Thomas; her step grandchildren Lacey Millican, Lauren Millican, Kelcee Millican and her great grand daughter Kahli. She was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Claycamp and her father, Gerheard Henry Claycamp.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 30, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pacific Christian Center located at 3435 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria, CA 93455.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Christie Stanley Memorial Education Fund at Community Bank of Santa Maria.