And now, the circle of life is complete for Karen Marie Biaggini. She was born on Christmas Day in 1950 to James and Patricia Tipple in Santa Ana, California. Karen had a wonderful childhood growing up with her two brothers, Mark and Stephen. The importance of her family cannot be understated, as they were the center of her world of joy, laughter, strength and encouragement.
After attending Sonoma State University, Karen’s independent streak and lust for travel really kicked in with a cross-country adventure in a VW bus by herself until it broke down somewhere in Florida. Not wanting to admit defeat, Karen was about to hitchhike back to California when her mom pitched in with a plane ticket home. Then, Karen and a girlfriend decided to travel up the coast to Morro Bay and they loved it so much, they stayed, working odd jobs, until Karen was able to land a good job using her accounting skills.
In Karen’s early career, she worked for Madonna Construction in accounting and then moved on to the Inn at Morro Bay as a controller. Working 9-5 put a severe crimp in Karen’s travel plans, so she decided to open her own business for tax preparation in Cayucos in the late 1980s, giving her the independence to pursue her life’s dreams. She sold the practice after two decades of filing taxes for many in Morro Bay and Cayucos.
Finally, Karen met the man of her dreams, Harold Biaggini, a kindred spirit who shared her passion for adventure, her sense of independence, and her deep love for family and friends. Together, they traveled the world, creating unforgettable memories along the way. Eventually, they decided to build a cabin in the hills — a serene sanctuary that became their own little piece of paradise. After a long courtship, Harold and Karen were married, embarking on a love story that was truly one-of-a-kind.
Together they faced all of life’s ups and downs, including the deaths of Harold’s two sons, Edward Biaggini III and Kenton Biaggini. After Ed’s death, Karen took over the reins of the Embarcadero Inn, which Harold and Ed built in 1986. Karen’s keen business sense and easy hospitable nature were a perfect fit to continue its success under her management. She also became a board member of Morro Bay’s fledgling tourism bureau, helping to establish the organization as the viable marketing entity that it is today.
Sadly, Harold passed away 10 years ago, and Karen was left to face a life-threatening illness without him. But she persevered and was able to continue to do the things she loved — entertain with her friends and family and travel the world. Her kindness, generosity and love had no boundaries, and she will be missed by so many.
Karen died on November 11, 2024 and is survived by two brothers Mark (Sharon) Tipple and Stephen (Tammy) Tipple; four nephews Scott (Sarah), Ryan (Mallory), Nick, and Jake Tipple; six grand nephews and nieces; best friend-in-law, Jonni Biaggini, and many wonderful friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
