Kalia Jeanette Rork
Kalia Jeanette Rork, a devoted sister and beloved friend, passed away on March 16, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of determination, spirit, inspiration, and deep dedication to the planet and the beings that inhabit it.
Kalia was born November 17, 1963 in Southern California and grew up in Santa Clarita. From an early age, she found her passion in the water. She became a standout swimmer at Hart High School, where she was known not only for her speed and strength, but for her discipline and heart. Her presence was felt in every meet, every practice, and in the banners that captured her competitive spirit —“Go Stork, Beat Sterkle!”— a reference to competing against Jill Sterkle, a SoCal swimmer who went on to win multiple medals at the Olympics. Kalia held the school record for women’s 50-meter freestyle for 10 years, and was “this close” to pursuing Olympic medals herself.
Instead, her drive and dedication earned Kalia a scholarship to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she continued to pursue excellence both in athletics and academics, earning her teaching credential in the mid 1980s. Santa Barbara became her community of choice, which she embraced wholeheartedly for the rest of her life with all of her passion and bountiful energy.
In 2001, after working as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and in graphic arts and finance for local nonprofits, Kalia began to make her mark as a local real estate powerhouse. Her smarts gave her the ability to understand the nuances of complex transactions, and her word-of-mouth network grew to astounding proportions. She would move mountains for her clients, and sold over 350 homes — mostly to friends, many of whom did not think they could ever own a home.
During her 25-year real estate career, Kalia regularly volunteered at the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors, serving on the Board of Directors, as well as the Government Relations, Statistical Review, and Education committees. For a decade or more, she wrote comprehensive market updates that were published in the NewsPress and later the Santa Barbara Independent, sharing her vast understanding of the real estate market with Santa Barbara readers.
Aside from her work life, Kalia found deep meaning in putting her heart out there for numerous causes, with the aim to make life more healthy, sustainable, joyous, and heart-centered for all. Her environmental work was wide ranging, and she created enduring ties at organizations such as Channelkeeper and the Environmental Defense Center.
Kalia took great pride in being a HeartMath practitioner and Therapeutic Touch practitioner and teaching at the environmental “Choices for the Future” Symposium at John Denver’s Windstar ranch near Aspen. Among her many pursuits and achievements, she was most proud of 1-mile ocean swims, participating in Santa Barbara’s Wednesday Nite Moves (swimming and running events), saving the trees on Fellowship Road, and helping to create Santa Barbara’s sewer lateral program to help keep our ocean clean. She thrived on remodeling homes – in her words, “creating beauty out of chaos”— and loved to entertain friends with colorful and lively dinner gatherings.
Closest to her heart, however, were her relationships with family and friends, and the love she experienced with her adopted pup Joey and working to advance dog adoption and positive dog training. She volunteered with Humane World for Animals, and never stopped learning and working for the betterment of our furry family members.
Kalia will be remembered for her kindness, resilience, and the way she lifted those around her. She was a source of encouragement and a loyal friend. She had sass, made mischief, adored concerts (Elton John, yay!), and had a ton of fun, dazzling with exuberance and the excitement of the moment.
She is deeply missed by her family, colleagues, and friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched and the inspiration she leaves behind.
Kalia is survived by her sister Sherry Elliott and brother-in law Bill Elliott, nephews Chad Elliott, Adam Elliott, and Michael Rork, and sister Lisa Lazzara of Tampa, FL. She was predeceased by her parents, Roy and Jean Rork.
In lieu of flowers, Kalia requested that donations in her memory be made to Shadow’s Fund, whose mission is giving hope and second chances to the most vulnerable shelter dogs. shadowsfund.org is a 501c3 nonprofit.
