Karla Turner Moran (1942-2023)
Karla Moran was surrounded by her family when she passed away in her sleep at her home in Little Compton, Rhode Island, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. The cause of death was heart disease. She was a much-loved wife and mother, a beloved nana to her grandchildren, and a friend who touched the lives of many in her community. She will be greatly missed.
The daughter of Margit and George Turner, Karla grew up with her sister, Margit (Breakiron), in Riverdale, New York. After her graduation from the High School of Music & Art in Manhattan, she studied painting at Rhode Island School of Design. In the early 1970s, she became an art teacher, and taught for many years at the Wilbur and McMahon Schools in Little Compton. Art was central to her life; after her retirement, she continued painting and drawing, and regularly visited museums and galleries. She encouraged those around her to express themselves through art, and always had art supplies handy for her grandchildren when they visited.
She met Thomas S. Moran at the Abraham Manchester Restaurant and Tavern, and they married in 1974. They enjoyed going to Elephant Rock Beach, boating, and every opportunity to gather with friends and family. They traveled extensively in the United States and Europe until Tom's declining health kept them closer to home. After his death in 2018, Tom remained the great love of her life.
An extrovert by nature, Karla thrived on being around people. Whether having dinner at the Sakonnet Point Club, attending Sunday service at the Congregational Church, or participating in myriad town activities and clubs, she loved talking with friends and making new ones. In recent years, she particularly enjoyed her involvement with the Sogkonate Garden Club and the Little Compton Education Foundation, and she was honored to be made a deacon at the Congregational Church. She found great comfort and friendship with her caregivers group. A trip to Lee's Market was never the "30 minutes" that she promised, as she would always run into someone she knew, chat and catch up on town news, and then arrive home at least an hour later than expected. The door to her home was always open and friends and neighbors would often stop by to visit.
She is survived by her daughter, Karla M. Ayers of Little Compton; her sons Corey T. Windham and his wife Sarah of Little Compton, and Ryder T. Windham and his wife Anne of Providence; her stepson William S. Moran and his wife Olga of Davie, Florida; her grandchildren Dorothy, Gordon, Jackie, Paige, Sara, Tiberius, and Violet, and also many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The memorial service to which relatives and friends are invited will be on Friday, June 30th at the Little Compton United Congregational Church, Little Compton, at 11 a.m.
Calling hours are respectfully omitted.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Forever Paws Animal Shelter in Fall River.