Karen Louise Morley: April 25, 1953 – December 13, 2023

Karen Louise Morley, of Santa Barbara, went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2023. In recent years, she had fought a long and often painful battle with ocular melanoma, but in her last weeks and days in this world she was peacefully surrounded by family and friends in the light and comfort of her home. 

Karen was born at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, CA, to parents Clifford and Clara Strom on her mother’s 41st birthday, April 25, 1953. She joined brother Larry (age 11) and sister Marty (age 8) in the Strom household. All of Karen’s grandparents were Swedish immigrants, and she was very proud of her heritage! It was a tender coincidence, therefore, that she passed on the Scandinavian holiday of St. Lucia – a holiday with traditions that Karen loved to share with her children and others.

Karen grew up in San Diego and attended Hoover High School, where she was a member of the cheerleading team. She followed in the footsteps of her older siblings and attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, from which she graduated on May 24, 1975, with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. In 1974 she wed Jonathan Hess, and they welcomed their first child, Trevor, in 1977, followed by Landon in 1980, and Kiersten in 1986. In her 46 years as a mother, Karen was a strong and affirming presence in her children’s lives, consistently reminding them with her words and actions that they were loved unconditionally!

Karen used her gifts in hospitality, cooking, and listening to provide a warm and loving home for her family and guests. In the words of one friend, she knew “how to make a house a home, full of love, comfort, safety, and beauty.” Among the family’s close-knit community of friends in Santa Barbara and beyond, Karen was renowned for her skills in the kitchen. Whether she was following a Swedish recipe passed down from her own mother or making something new, her creations were always fresh, nourishing, and made from scratch. She generously shared the fruits of her labor with friends and family, and gladly shared her recipes as well.

Karen was a selfless provider for her family, a skilled teacher, and a servant of others. In the early 1980s, she passed a rigorous dance and fitness test to become the proud owner of a Jazzercize franchise. She spent countless hours perfecting her routines in the family living room and creating mixtapes from 45 rpm records, and her classes were among those offered by the Kinesiology department at Westmont College. Over the years, Karen used her poise and relationship-building skills in admissions and recruiting roles at Westmont College, Brooks Institute of Photography, and the Fielding University. 

In all that she did, Karen was rooted in her deep faith in Jesus Christ, from which flowed her humble perseverance and her commitment to service and integrity. Even when external pressures sought to push her in other directions, Karen stayed the course. For instance, when an employer transitioned to a sales and profit-driven model, she chose to continue focusing on the people she was serving and was still recognized as the highest-achieving employee. Karen had a true talent for the work of admissions,  and for so many people her uniquely personal approach and her devotion to each student made a profound and lasting difference – not only in their education, but in their lives!

On January 6, 2011, Karen wed Dave Morley in a beautiful ceremony at Kapalua Bay on the island of Maui. During their nearly 13 years of marriage, and in partnership with Dave, Karen continued to build on her legacy of selfless love and hospitality. Karen and Dave cared excellently for one another and for others, even as they experienced their own physical afflictions. Karen was a loyal and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, and throughout her life she embodied the biblical admonition to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Those who knew her have described her as wise, encouraging, nurturing, gentle in spirit, compassionate, and generously caring!

Karen is survived by her husband, Dave Morley; her sister, Marty and husband John; her son, Trevor Hess and wife Jenna, and their children Carson and Eva; her son Landon Hess; and her daughter Kiersten Arnaudin and husband Xavier. She was also a loving stepmother and grandmother to Dave’s three children, 11 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren! Karen was predeceased by her parents, Clifford and Clara Strom, and her brother Larry Strom. She will be deeply missed by many!

A celebration of Karen’s life and legacy will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, to be immediately followed by a reception.