Annelise Falk
Annelise Falk will be remembered for so many things, but especially for her creativity and her life’s work with children. She passed peacefully on May 1st, 2023 from complications associated with colon cancer. Her children were with her throughout her illness and passing.
Annelise was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on March 1st, 1937. She rarely talked about World War II but shared a harrowing memory of running to a bomb shelter as sirens blared. She and her mother were turned away because it was full, and planes arrived before they found another. She was a good student, but by her own admission, lazy. She was artistically talented and after finishing school her father pushed for a career in painting china—which she did, for a while. She painted some beautiful pieces for Dahl-Jensen, a famous porcelain factory in Copenhagen. However she couldn’t see herself doing that for life, so at the age of 21 she left her job and traveled to Canada. She joined her brother, Jørgen Engelbrecht (predeceased), who was there at the time. They both wanted to stay but Jørgen returned home for their parents’ sake. Nonetheless, Annelise and her brother had a close bond throughout their lives, no matter how far apart they lived.
Annelise met her future husband, Bent Falk (predeceased), in Canada. He also emigrated from Denmark, albeit at a younger age with his family. The two of them moved to Santa Barbara, California in the early 1960’s. From then on, Annelise did not live anywhere else. She considered herself enormously fortunate to live here (she said that when you grow up in Denmark, sunshine is a treasured thing). They joined a large community of Danes living in the area, and raised their three children to eat, celebrate, and live like Danes. They also spent most weekends at the beach, so the children learned how to be Californians as well.
Annelise’s life’s work was teaching children, especially young children. She attended Santa Barbara City College for early childhood studies, and soon after started Bluebird Nursery School (on Figueroa Street). She ran this for over a decade until she purchased her own property for the school. But before she could make it a school, it burned down. This was the event that brought her to Montecito Union School (MUS) as a kindergarten aide in approximately 1979. For more than 30 years, Annelise helped innumerable children learn to read and write, compute and problem solve. But she was probably best known for her artistic efforts with them. She had many repeat students in her afterschool classes, and hopefully there are many knitters out there thanks to Annelise. With daily playground supervision, she kept a close eye on hundreds of children and delighted in seeing the world through their eyes. She regaled her family with hilarious and insightful stories about what children would say. It’s no wonder she worked well into her 70’s.
All of the things Annelise did with children at work, she did with her own children and grandchildren at home. Arts and crafts and baking were part of daily life when you were in her home. And when you left, you were never empty handed. All family members benefitted from her remarkable knitting, and those knits be handed down for a long, long time. She was an amazing cook, and prepared meals for family and friends her whole life. She baked each of her children a birthday cake, every birthday, until this year. She helped raise her grandchildren. Annelise was an exceptional working mom.
She will also be remembered for her intelligence, strength, and independence. She earned her own way and single-handedly managed her home and garden for most of her life. She loved to travel, and did so annually. She was a prolific reader. She stayed current on world events. She had opinions and wasn’t afraid to share them! She was also an accomplished pianist and lover of classical music.
Annelise was content and grateful for the life she lived, and so grateful for her friends and neighbors. She loved her home. Her garden was her place of joy. But it was her grandchildren who were probably her greatest source of joy. She created a close family, and they miss her dearly. She is survived by her three children, Tine Sloan (Michael Corrigan), Jane Dugan, and Jens Peter Falk (Alexis), as well as her five grandchildren, Kristian, Dana, and Lauren Sloan; and Ella and June Falk.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, August 27th at 2:00 pm at the Rockwood Women’s Club in Santa Barbara. If you are able, please RSVP by emailing afalkcelebration@gmail.com.
