Ksenija (Kay) Oberlander

Ksenija (Kay) Oberlander died on December 07, 2016 after a long illness.

Ksenija was born in Riga Latvia April 24th, 1937. Ksenija’s family immigrated to the United States in 1950 after spending 7 years in a refugee camp. As a young woman she met her husband Larry Oberlander at a YWCA dance. They married in 1958 and had three daughters (Linda, Anita & Anne).

The Family relocated from Wisconsin to Santa Barbara in 1973 when Delco Electronics moved their headquarters to the West Coast. They were married for 47 years until Larry passed away in 2005.

Ksenija was best known as a yoga instructor in Santa Barbara who taught at the Santa Barbara YMCA for 35 years. She was ahead of her time, teaching yoga before it was mainstream. She also taught meditation and the importance of unprocessed and organic food for health.

Ksenija was also well known by all her neighbors. She had a gift of remembering names and she would remember something important about everyone she met. Her neighbors would always see her gardening, walking or bargain hunting at a garage sale and local thrift stores.

Ksenija’s real joy was her Grandkids. She loved taking care of the grandchildren and spoiling them. She is survived by her 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice and Dream Foundationwho both were amazing throughout her illness or plant a flower in your yard in her honor. Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary.