After being diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last summer, and following a six-month-long battle at both Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and The City of Hope, beloved mother, daughter, sister, cousin, and friend to many, Kaelynn Ellyssa Stiles passed away on Feb. 7, 2022. Born on Nov. 10, 1993, she was 28 years old.
The firstborn of high school sweethearts Forrest and Maria Stiles (who met as teenagers, have been together for 39 years, and married for 28), Kaelynn lived a life full of love and good memories.
Raised in the middle of a boisterous group of cousins, Kaelynn learned early how to take her bumps and bruises, and was fiercely competitive. She would let you know when she won, or lost, and exactly how she felt about it.
As she grew up, through Hollister Elementary, La Colina Junior High, Dos Pueblos High School, and Santa Barbara City College, she was surrounded by people drawn to her beauty, smile and energy. She grew up in a home with both parents, a little brother and sister, a white picket fence, and as many puppies as could fit in the house.
Kaelynn found any excuse to get out of town and find a new adventure with family or friends: music festivals, annual birthday trips to Disneyland, trips abroad, snowboarding and camping with friends and family.
For Kaelynn, family was everything. With more than a dozen first cousins, all in Santa Barbara, there was always a reason to gather at her parents’ house, cook massive amounts of food, and break out the board games.
When she became a mother, family took on an even deeper role in her life. Kaelynn embraced her role as a single mother in her early 20s, juggling school, work, a social life, and the new love of her life: Cayden.
Everything she did for the next nine years was motivated by her love for her son. They played video games together; they built computers together; she drove him to school and hockey practices. She fostered his love for cars, and his eagerness to learn.
Kaelynn’s death tore through the heart of her family and community. After her diagnosis, her journey in the past few months was a team effort, with physicians, family and friends all lending whatever support they could. Donations and kind words poured in.
Our family is so thankful for every soul that lifted a prayer towards Kaelynn, and we know she felt that support. Hearing the news of her passing still doesn’t seem real — she was so young, her future so wide open. But there is no question that she was loved, and that she made an impact on those around her.
From her friends, with whom she spent late nights, or her family, for those late morning breakfasts together, she was a light that won’t be forgotten. Her smile, spunk, attitude and style will live on with our stories and memories. And with her son, who has a big family support system by his side.
Kaelynn is survived by her son Cayden; her mother Maria; father Forrest, Sr.; brother Forrest, Jr.; sister Aliyah; grandmothers Mary Stiles and Maria De La Luz Renteria; and lots of aunts, uncles and cousins throughout Santa Barbara.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, followed by interment at Santa Barbara Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Pueblo Del Rey Funeral Services.
Kaelynn, your memory will live in our hearts forever. You are a beautiful soul that will never be forgotten.
— With love, your family