ZELLANNA "ZANNI" LE JOY DYER

Zellanna “Zanni” LeJoy Dyer, 75, passed from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 28, 2026, in Santa Barbara, California.

Zanni was born on September 7, 1950, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She became a longtime Central Coast resident, living in Santa Maria since 1983 and spending her final years in Lompoc, California—a place she proudly called home.

She was an amazing mom, a loyal friend, and a woman who loved deeply and gave freely. Zanni was married to the love of her life, Patrick, for 25 years until his passing in 1995. In a story that perfectly reflected their kind of love, they were married on their very first date—and spent the next 25 years inseparable and devoted to one another.

Zanni had a vibrant personality and a contagious sense of humor. She was a jokester who loved telling jokes that would make you blush, and her laughter had a way of filling every room. She wasn’t just a mom to her own children—she became “Momma” to countless friends over the years. Many who grew up around her called her Mom, and she loved them as if they were her own.

She had a special gift for making people feel at home, and nowhere was that more evident than around her table. She loved cooking spaghetti dinners for her son’s football team and took great joy in feeding “ALL THEM BOYS,” making sure no one left hungry and everyone felt like family. She was always there with a hug, a listening ear, or whatever someone needed in the moment—even if it meant giving her last dollar.

She was the best cook in the world in the eyes of her family, always making sure everyone was fed, cared for, and knew they were loved. Her home was a place of comfort, warmth, and belonging.

She was a devoted wife to Pat, a loving Momma to Ruby and Mike, Tina, and Mary; a proud MiMi to Jazmynn, Kyleigh, Caitlin, Seth, and Abigail; and a cherished GiGi to Hunter, Lilly, Kaiden, and Carson.

Zanni was deeply loved by her family and will be profoundly missed.

Her faith in Jesus was strong and steady, and it shaped the way she lived and loved. While her absence leaves a deep ache, her family finds peace in knowing she is now fully restored, in the presence of her Savior—and, as they like to imagine, fishin’ with Daddy in heaven.

Graveside Services will be 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in the original section of the Santa Maria Cemetery.

We love you, Momma… and we will see you again.

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