Kara Lynn Morgan

Kara Lynn Morgan, 40, died of melanoma on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, one day before her 41st birthday. Kara was born in 1973 in Shreveport, LA, and first moved to New Orleans in 1987, where she graduated from Mercy Academy in 1991. Over the years, she lived in Dallas, Tallahassee, Arlington, VA, and Seattle before returning home to New Orleans with her partner, Trey Bornmann, and their son, Beau Bornmann, on 1 June 2006. Trey's son Joey Baril joined the family in the Irish Channel in June of 2012. Kara is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and earned two Masters Degrees (Statistics and Public Administration) from Florida State University. Most of her career was spent working for IBM, where she was widely admired for her work, her management skills, her sense of play, and her love for New Orleans. Kara was elected to the Board of the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association (ICNA) as Program Coordinator in 2008. From 2009 until the time of her passing she served as President of the ICNA. In 2009 she was a founding Board member of the Lyons-Burke Booster Club. During her tenure she helped the ICNA focus efforts on improving parks, playgrounds, and recreation. Kara's life accomplishments are a testament to the way she lived. Recently, Kara was instrumental in getting Louisiana lawmakers to ban minors from using tanning beds. A few days ago, one of her cousins told Kara, "thank you for making my world a better place" to which Kara responded, "I wish I could've done more." And she would've if she could've. But her accomplishments paled in comparison to her love of New Orleans culture and traditions - from Saints football games to second lines, festivals, PARADES to her and Trey's courtyard which, to many, became the heart of the Irish Channel the last eight years. Kara was preceded in death by her father, Don W. Morgan, and grandparents, Wayne & Elizabeth Morgan and Gene & Frances Rainbolt. Left to cherish her memory are her soulmate and life-partner, Trey Bornmann; "the boys," Beau and Joey; her mother & stepfather, Beverly Rainbolt & Michael Greene; sister Kristine Rizzuto, brothers Kurtis Rainbolt-Greene (& Angela Englund) and Matthew Morgan; stepmother Patti Morgan; nieces Cicely, Ciarra, and Eve; nephews Josh and Max; Trey's parents and sister, Al and Pris Bornmann and Kirsten Fontenrose; her German Shepherd, Boudreaux; dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins; her 8th & St. Charles parade pals, her IBM co-workers, the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association, fellow members of First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans, and so very many friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association (ICNA), IIrish Channel Neighborhood Association, P. O. Box 751025, New Orleans, LA 70175-1025. Please specify the donations are for the Kara Morgan Shade Fund. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a funeral service Saturday, July 26, 2014. Plans include a 4:00 PM service at First Unitarian Universalist Church, officiated by the Rev Paul Beedle, followed by a second line through the Irish Channel beginning at Burke Park at 6:00 PM and ending at NOLA Brewery for a Celebration of Kara's Life. It was Kara's wish to have attendees to the service wear bright, festive colors, costumes, and/or New Orleans Saints attire for her funeral services and second line send-off. Arrangements entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Covington, LA (985) 875-1131.