Calabasas Mourns Former Mayor Karyn Foley

CALABASAS, CA – The City of Calabasas announced Monday the passing of founding Councilmember and former Mayor Karyn Foley, who died on March 9 in West Hills.

Foley was part of the group whose efforts led Calabasas to cityhood in 1991, making it the 466th city incorporated in the State of California – and the last one incorporated in Los Angeles County, the City of Calabasas press release said.

“The City of Calabasas has lost one of its founding Councilmembers, the first female mayor, and a tremendous individual. Karyn added so much to our City and our community; her presence will be missed but her spirit lives on in our City. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband Jim and their family,” said Calabasas Mayor David J. Shapiro.

Foley served two terms on the City Council from 1991 to 1997, and was the City’s first female Mayor from 1994-1995. After leaving office, she remained active in city government, serving on the City’s first Library Commission, as well as getting involved in the Art in Public Places Committee; Friends of the Calabasas Library; Friends of the Calabasas Orchestra; the Calabasas Players Theatrical Group; and many other civic organizations, the press release said. She also served as host of the CTV program “Author’s Night,” taping 107 episodes during its run.

Foley was the first person to encourage fellow founding Councilmember Bob Hill to get involved in public affairs. She handed him the presidency of the Calabasas Homeowners Association, which evolved into the Calabasas Cityhood, and eventually the City of Calabasas in 1991, Hill said. Without her encouragement, Hill isn't sure he would have been involved, he said.

“As a member of a remarkable group of people that came together in mind, heart, and energy to create Calabasas, Karyn Foley, with a wry humor and a keen eye, brought a special focus on the humanities to our community. For over 30 years, she worked with grace and grit to build the culture, identity and ‘brand’ of our City. Her life and legacy can be seen always on CTV Calabasas,” said Dennis Washburn, founding City of Calabasas Mayor.

Foley held a coat drive for the less fortunate in the early 1990s, spearheaded a book drive so others would have the opportunity to read, and organized a lunch with then-Supervisor Ed Edelman that led to the purchase of the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center, founding Councilmember Marvin Lopata recalled.

“Karyn’s friendship was one of steel,” Lopata said. “Karyn cared deeply for her friends, her community, and strangers.”

Foley was born on July 17, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan. Her family moved to California when she was an infant and settled in Los Angeles. She attended Wilshire Crest Elementary School, John Burroughs Junior High School and Los Angeles High School before moving on to UCLA, where she graduated with a degree in Physical Education.

She worked in the field of recreation in the public sector, and eventually became a real estate broker, the press release said. After retirement from real estate, she became a part-time substitute teacher with the Las Virgenes Unified School District. She married James Foley in July 1969, and in 1976 they settled in Calabasas to raise their family. She was a volunteer parent in LVUSD, and was President of the Round Meadow Elementary School PTA.

“Karyn was my friend and mentor for 26 years. She was a visionary leader and passionate public servant. There are few, if any, individuals whose work did more to make Calabasas what it is today than Karyn Foley,” said Councilmember James R. Bozajian.

Foley and her husband were heavily involved in forming the Calabasas Park Homeowners Association, starting the traditional and popular July 4 lakeside races and pet contests, the press release said. They both served terms as Presidents of the Calabasas Park Homeowners Association.

"Karyn had a wide, diverse range of hobbies and passions. She loved to travel and explore new venues and experiences," the City said. "She was also an expert skier, assisted with a suicide prevention line for many years, and often hosted foster children as part of an emergency program."

Foley is survived by James, her husband of 49 years; daughter Megan and son Patrick; three grandchildren; and many extended family members and close friends.