Adele Rachel Rosen

The daughter of Nat and Faye Marsh, Adele Rachel (Marsh) Rosen was born in Utica, NY on February 2, 1933. She left us on July 18, 2025.

A true Aquarian, Adele saw the world through a different lens. She possessed a deep curiosity and a strong desire to make things better—not just for herself but for others too. Adele was independent and self-sufficient, intelligent and thoughtful; not usually one for small talk, preferring meaningful conversations that challenged her thinking and creative juices. She was unique and sometimes unpredictable, and could be stubborn. Adele enjoyed surprising people and often resisted labels or expectations. Her fashion choices, opinions, home and design sense reflected her artistry and impeccable taste, as well as her desire to stand out and remain true to herself. Adele loved to travel, laugh, and entertain. She was an exquisite hostess, and a loyal friend. About friends, Adele said, “I look for quiet strength, in good friends, who are both loyal and faithful, I have a strong gut reaction about people, which often proves to be correct.”

Adele and her late husband Hal Rosen (d 2016) were married in 1951. She was 19 years old. They moved from upstate New York to Ventura, CA in 1959 where her family had a furniture business. Her interest in design came naturally and when she was offered an opportunity to truly launch her interior design career she accepted the challenge to work for a developer who was building tract homes in the Goleta area. She created and managed the interior design for these new homes as well as dozens of other model homes up and down the coast – Ventura, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Paula, and in Simi Valley. And, all the time she was rearing two young daughters. Adele, Hal, and the girls, Barbara and Beth, moved to Santa Barbara in 1963 where the couple opened Décor Furniture, “with a lot of guts and no money”, to quote Adele. By the early 70’s Adele had established herself in the field of interior design.

As Adele’s career flourished, so did her need for a different type of stimulation. Adele was a visionary thinker, always looking ahead, and she was compassionate about her community. She cared deeply about her Jewish heritage, history and humanity. Adele was a community leader and resident of Santa Barbara for more than 60 years. Her passion for promoting the arts, children’s welfare, and teaching tolerance to young people remains unparalleled.

Adele received numerous awards and held a great number of volunteer leadership positions including as a steadfast supporter of the SB Jewish Federation and a past president of their Women’s Board, where she launched their Pomegranate giving society to help support Jewish life in the community, Israel, and around the world. She served on the CALM Board and as the chairwoman of four CALM Design Showcases. Adele also served as chair of the architectural committee for Congregation B’nai B’rith, as a member of Congregation B’nai B’rith Sisterhood, and as the originating co-chair of the synagogue’s Children of the Covenant, a legacy giving campaign.

Adele was a stalwart advocate for People’s Self-Help Housing and the Music Academy of the West where she volunteered as a compere for many years. She was a member of Hadassah and Brandeis Women, Women’s Board of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara Symphony League, Friend of the Eli Luria Library and Friend of Ensemble Theater, a Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra Associate, a member of the Lobero Theatre, and more.

Adele was the coordinator of the exhibit “Anne Frank in the World 1929-1945” at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in 1997. This exhibit evolved into the Beyond Tolerance project which she helped to establish, and soon she became the Director of the SB County Schools Center for Tolerance program. Adele was widely recognized for this work which brought more than 10,000 students from schools throughout the County of Santa Barbara to see the exhibit and learn about tolerance and diversity.

She received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Anti-Defamation League in 1996, and The Woman of the Year Award for the 1st District from the County Board of Supervisors in 1998.

Other awards include the Honorary Service Award from the California Congress of Parents, Teachers and Students, Inc., the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Santa Barbara, Woman of Valor in 2014, and by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, also in 2014, for 50 years of service to the general and Jewish communities of Santa Barbara.

Adele and Hal divorced in 2000. In 2010 she met Barry Howard. This was to be a JDate success story – Fifteen years of love and friendship, travel, meaningful conversations, laughs, and true connection. Barry has been a devoted and loving partner to Adele. Her family and friends are deeply grateful to Barry.

Adele is survived by her daughters Barbara (Bob) Dollar and Liz (Don) Payson, granddaughters Danielle Dollar and Nyah Rosen, great-grandson Ari Rosen, numerous loving friends and a grateful community.

A celebration of life will be held in early August.

Donations can be made in memory of Adele to Congregation B’nai B’rith, People’s Self-Help Housing, CALM, or a charity of your choice.