Proud mother and grandmother, devoted community organizer, world-traveler, voracious non-fiction reader and dear friend, Karen Lockwood, passed away peacefully of Alzheimer’s disease on March, 14th 2024 surrounded by family. 

Karen had an insatiable curiosity and an endless hunger for knowledge and learning. Her eclectic group of friends, which included people of almost every profession, helped appease her constant curiosity. She cherished her conversations with brilliant minds and was always searching to be intellectually engaged. Every topic interested her. She was a life-long learner who possessed many idiosyncratic views on the world, politics and literature. 

She was born on December 8, 1937 in Iowa City, Iowa. Shortly after the start of WWII, her family moved to Los Angeles. Their move to California was motivated by her parents’ quest for work. Her mother worked as a waitress and her father found temporary employment at a warplane factory. Karen adored her father’s whimsy and enjoyed spending time with him practicing gymnastics and doing acrobatics at Muscle Beach. Her inclination towards playfulness was inspired by her father. 

Karen was extremely creative, had a quick sense of humor and excelled in school. Teachers praised her endless curiosity and encouraged her to continue her academic pursuits. In 1950, Karen graduated from UCLA with a degree in education. In 1963 she married Richard Lockwood, a physician and a founding faculty member of the UC San Diego Medical School. Together they purchased their home on Crest Road in Del Mar in 1966. In 1967, Karen gave birth to her daughter, Pica Lockwood. Karen delighted in motherhood, especially when her daughter was learning and exploring the world around her, or when they could find ways to giggle together. 

Karen often struggled internally with where and how she fit into the world. She believed that her educational dreams had been limited by her childhood circumstances and the expectations placed on young women of her generation. Despite this, she was able to harness her creativity and her passion for diverse issues to create a life of service to education and her community. 

For years, Karen served as director of international programs at UC San Diego Extension and was the founder of an innovative DUI program developed at UC San Diego Extension in collaboration with local courts. Karen was also an avid world traveler, exploring Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia while organizing anthropology classes for UC San Diego Extension. She was also the author of the book Road to Independence.

After retiring, Karen poured her love into her local Del Mar community. She was a founder of Del Mar Community Connections, to which she donated many hours of her time. As a member of the Del Mar Garden Club, Karen applied her talents with plants not only at home, but at many Garden Club locations including the Post Office, where a long-standing kiosk highlights nature's wonders. She was also a member of the Huntresses of Erudition book club. These are only a few ways that she left a lasting impact on the community. She will always be remembered as a fierce advocate for the unique small town, community values articulated in Del Mar’s Community Plan. 

Many remember her many artistic, spontaneous gatherings of friends to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, friendship and community. Karen’s gatherings were always unique. Where others would frequent the beach, Karen would insist that they gather in Crest Canyon or under a Torrey Pine tree somewhere within Del Mar. She would pack baskets full of healthy foods, table linens, plates and wine to enjoy with her friends. These were moments treasured by all. 

For many of her friends and neighbors, Karen was also an artist, creating lovely flower arrangements for front doors, children's birthdays and weddings. Karen found joy in publicly celebrating people who made contributions to the community, most beautifully by making flower wreaths for their heads. For example, when she crowned John Kerridge in celebration of his contributions as the longtime editor of the Sandpiper. 

For her family, Karen will be remembered as eccentric, creative, devoted, adventurous, independent and unapologetically herself. Her daughter will forever be grateful.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Pica Lockwood; son-in-law, Anibal Maroto Rojas; and granddaughter, Kanani Ialea Maroto Lockwood. ​​In lieu of flowers, Karen's family requests that donations be made in her memory to Del Mar Community Connections. You can send remembrances to: costapica@yahoo.com

Remembrance provided by Pica Lockwood