Karen was a friend to many for over 45 years.

And, I loved her very much since the day we met.

Karen loved her family! John and Lauren were the center of her world and she was a hovercraft kind of mom that wanted to be there for Lauren at every turn and step of the way. She was a dance mom (like her mom was for her) back in the day. Karen loved making Lauren’s costumes and I’m sure they were custom fit for her. John was the love of her life since they met as teenagers. And, she lovingly called him “dum dum” which made John smile. Together they raised Lauren who is very much like Karen in so many ways, even more than how they look alike. She appreciated everything John did for her and wanted him by her side as much as he could be. They were a match made in heaven for each other.

Karen was a strong advocate for her mom and Nana and they were a strong, close knit, Scottish family. She was the center of their universe and was loved so very much. I believe that she is in heaven with them and they are together again.

Michelle and I heard a “new girl” was down the street so we went into Karen’s backyard and played on her swing set. She looked out at us from her bedroom window and we were waving at her to come out and laughed until she joined us. That’s how we met our third musketeer.

Just a few thoughts about Karen…

Karen had her own way of doing things. She was determined, strong minded, stubborn, opinionated and a fighter. Karen was curious. She was always asking questions. Karen was observant. She had the ability to notice things that no one else would see.

She loved animals and had her special friends in the year that she would name and feed every day. I’d be talking to her on the phone and she’d be describing their behaviors and habits in detail. I think she even got Miss. Kitty as a pet when Miss. Kitty wandered over to Karen one day.

As we grew up, we’d ride our bikes to KMart on the side of the road. We’d get slurpees. Karen always had to have half Coke and half Cherry. And, she knew just how to get the most in her cup. We’d buy corsages for our mom for Mother’s Day and even put things in layaway.

Karen always liked food… she enjoyed eating out and getting carry-out. You know she’d be at the Real Seafood Company getting shrimp scampi on her birthday since you could get one meal free! She’d recommend it for you on your birthday too. Which leads me to how she knew when and how you could get an extra gift card for food, if you bought gift cards during a “special” PF Chang or other restaurants were having. If there was a graduation party or party, the food was the talk of the day. She had a special taco dip appetizer recipe that she’d whip up for a party with friends.

Karen had a wealth of knowledge about many different things. She could fix a dryer, repair a car, and do so many things that she didn’t want to hire a repair person for. You could call her up and she’d be able to tell you the best place to buy tires or where to get your carpeting.

She was an avid shopper! We knew her favorite stores… White House Black Market, Hudsons (she worked there for awhile), and Vera Bradley. She would find a deal and get the most of what she wanted. You may or may not know she had a room (or two) of “gifts” that she’d have picked up at the most opportune time to have … just in case.

Karen was quirky, fun, and entertaining. In high school, she was always ready to have fun and go to do something on the weekend. There were many Friday or Saturday nights when she’d be putting on her makeup in the car. She was still putting her makeup on in the car on the way to her destination as an adult. She was a loyal and fun friend that shared many inside jokes! When she’d start laughing… you would start laughing too!.

VACATIONS- She lived for a vacation and really knew how to work the interval system to her advantage! Karen loved Hawaii and the warm weather! She accrued more Marriott points than anyone I know! Florida was her second home that she loved and enjoyed so much! A fun fact… Karen met pets on her vacations… named them and fed them! She wanted to go back to Hawaii and she did! Over the years, she invited friends and family to join in on the fun!

Karen will be missed by many, but not forgotten. She was one of a kind and the best wife, mom and friend to all that knew her. Karen may be gone from our sight, but never in our hearts.