Talia Stella Klein was tragically killed on December 23, 2007, along with her father, Michael Klein. Talia and Michael shared the same birthday, and in a very sad coincidence, the same day of death. Talia and her father, along with Talia’s dear friend, Frankie Lewis, were flying by small charter plane from her father’s eco-resort off the coast of Panama to Volcan, Panama, to visit friends before flying home to the United States.
Talia was an accomplished equestrienne, winning numerous awards in both Equitation and Hunters, and was looking forward to attending the USEF, PCHA, and Northern California Hunter Jumper Association’s award banquettes this coming January, where she was to receive numerous awards for her accomplishments in the 2007 show year. She earned awards in the NorCal Equitation Championship, and championships and high earnings in both PCHA and USEF Zone 10 associations. Talia was very proud of her accomplishments and of her beloved horse, Justinian, who was a champion in multiple divisions as well. Talia was looking forward to showing both Justinian and her new horse, Ooh La La, in the 2008 show season.
Talia also had a great passion for volleyÂ-ball and loved to play tennis, snorkel with her father, kayak and hike, travel with me, and she really loved to dance! Besides her family and dear friends, Talia’s greatest loves were her horses and her dogs: Zippy, Gunther, Merl, and Dobby. Talia loved her friends and was a faithful and generous friend to all.
It is a tragedy that such a kind, thoughtful, wise, generous, fun, and energetic young girl would be taken from us just when her life was beginning. Talia had the intelligence and the will to accomplish anything she wanted to do. Though only in seventh grade, she was hoping to attend Stanford University. She was thinking about becoming a patent litigator, but recently mentioned that she thought being a quantum physicist sounded interesting. Whatever her choice, Talia would have accomplished miracles in her chosen field. This is a terrible, tragic, and painful loss for everyone who knew her. Our loss is truly the world’s loss, as we know Talia would have accomplished so much and for so many.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Talia’s memory can be made to the Talia S. Klein Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank in Montecito, which will be used to fund the Talia S. Klein Perpetual Trophies for Equitation in the NorCal and PCHA associations, as well as other causes Talia felt passionately about. Please contact Ryan Rose at Wells Fargo in Montecito at 969-3242 or mail directly to: Wells Fargo, Attn: Ryan Rose, 1482 East Valley Road, Montecito, CA 93108.