I think about you ever day, but today more than ever. Forever grateful for your love.

I can't believe it has been three years since we lost Karen. I miss talking to her and sharing with her.

As we near the third anniversary of the day you said goodbye my heart grows heavier and heavier, Mom. It still doesn't make sense and I so badly want to wrap my arms around you. I see you in my son. I catch him smiling and babbling, sometimes, at what seems to be nothing, but I have a sneaking suspicion it is you he sees. I love and miss you so much, Mom. XOXO

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart! I miss you.

I've been thinking about you so much, lately, Mom. I really hope you are here with me and can see how wonderful your grandson is. How I wish I could see him smile when he looks at you!!! XOXO

Karen brought incredible happiness to everyone around her!

As always, happy birthday to one of my dearest friends ever. We used to celebrate a few of our birthdays together, as I recall. Still regret that we were never given the opportunity to finish our journey. I love your family with all my heart and will do anything they need if they ask. I wish I could do more. Love you, sweetie. <3

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I celebrate your life and our life together today ... and every day. I miss you so much! Life is empty without you.

Dear Karen, as you know, I still struggle with missing you every day. My life will never be the same without you, this is painful. I treasure the friendships I have with your loved ones, they always give me such kindness and support. Samuel, is beautiful, I know you know! Thank you for watching over us, we all need it, same as when you were on earth. :). I keep you tucked in my heart for eternity, and await the time when we can resume our adventures together. XO

Miss you always and think about you often. So many memories together and lots of good times.

Another year has passed...how did that happen? Karen's spirit is still alive and well in my heart, and I have loved following Bill's and their children's and grandchildren's adventures. How I wish she were still with us, but I have to accept what I cannot control or influence. Someday we'll have that chance to hug and laugh together again! I really believe that.

Still loving you, still missing you after this fateful day two years ago.

On Our 47th Wedding Anniversary

One by one each year flew by,
since we both said “I do”…
Forty-five years of memories,
shared by me and you.

Our love was intense, devoted and strong,
tested by adversity, emotions and loss,
But we made our way through it,
by supporting each other at all cost.

From big events and celebrations
to simple daily pleasures,
Some tearful times along life’s way,
some joys that can’t be measured…

One by one each year now gone,
but still they’re ours forever…
Each and every memory,
of Forty-five years together!

Still In Love - Bill

The Impact of a Life

The love of my life she was
Beautiful inside and out
She brought sunshine into my life
... Help me to figure what life was about

We stood together side by side
Learning all the way
About life and family and the world
And what we tried to say

She knew that I was driven
And believed me to be smart
We connected on a level
Of creativity and art

She was proud of my successes
In my career and in my home
She taught me to walk with God
From that I’ll never roam

She thought that I was impish
A horse straining its lead
She taught me how to live
With thought, word and deed.

She loved when I was silly
And even when I was loud
She always stood by my side
And said I made her proud

She loved for me to sing for her
I was her snuggle bunny
She loved when I made her laugh
She loved when I was funny

She knew how hard I worked
To find success in my career
She taught me to take chances
And not give into fear

She was excited I was born
Especially as a boy
I was her final baby
She said I brought her joy

She was proud of me as a Dad
And as her son
She had faith in me-no matter what
Knowing I’d git er done

From her family and her friends,
Her patients and cohorts
She touched so many lives
She’ll be always in our hearts

My dear friend, I will never stop missing you. I remember all the years we shared our March birthdays, and I was so excited when I thought we could possibly do that again some day. I guess we WILL get to do that but not in the way I'd visualized. I know you're watching over us all, and I love you!

I worked with Karen for several years at CDH. We were both new RNs and found our niche in mental health. I remember Karen as an intelligent, upbeat, kind, giving and simply joyful woman and I am reminded of her when I pass Kristen, her daughter, in the halls of ABBHH where we both work.

This day that signifies one year since we lost you has been interesting.Early morning(hours before"the"phone call last year)was anticipatory and emotional,but celebrating Julian's 6th birthday today helped me realize how life continues in reflection of the love you ever encouraged us to understand. Seeing you in a video today was also strangely comforting.I think it is going to be ok, Mom.

How many lives she touched and how the love just flows back to her! That's what impresses me most when I read all these lovely tributes from those who knew and loved her. She may not be where we can see her, but she'll never be gone from our hearts. Dear friend, we will meet again.

No regrets fill my past
That you know is true
For I love you with all my heart
And I know you love me too….

Once our heart did beat as one
Now mine beats for you
To show the world just who we are
And continue what we do

The many ways that we were one
Now I understand why
So you would live on in my heart
In this you never die

Mom, it's hard to believe it's been a year, yet it seems so long ago that you said good-bye. I miss you every day, so today is nothing new. However, it is a day to remember and reflect on who you were and are to so many. Thank you for teaching me about love, strength, faith, compassion and how to simply enjoy the little things. I know you are with me. I feel it now. You will never be gone.

I know I haven’t lost you
Your just in a different space
But I miss your touch and closeness
And your wonderful, loving face

Thankful for....
The blessing and gift of your friendship, which lives forever in my heart and soul.

Karen,
Missing your....
Blonde halo of curls, infectious laugh, quick mind, warm hugs, encouragement, fun, love....

As the leaves are falling, so are my tears. Almost a year now since you left...and it feels like yesterday. I miss you, Mom. I miss you so much. XOXO

The feeling of love is everywhere
As the Autumn times go by
I think of you here and there
Like sun glow in the sky
Days gone of happier times
Like falling leaves drift by
In melancholy memories
Of the life of you and I

Feelings of a dream in heart
Our love like tones of deep
Everything goes, new will start
Nothing is ours to keep
Garden flowers, falling leaves
Songs of summer leaving
They bring us joy, they bring us grief
Immortality no longer deceiving

Feelings inside of loneliness
As autumn hues adorn
Reminders of when you left me
That cold November morn
We had our summer dream
Now our time is done
Yesterdays in the autumn stream
Days of remembrance linger on

A tribute by daughter Kristen-May 13, 2012
"She was beautiful; she was child-like; she was complicated; she was faithful; she was stubborn; she was open-minded; she was nurturing; she was kind; she was funny; she was loving; she was intelligent; she was passionate; she was creative; she was dedicated; she was sensitive; she was opinionated; she was tough; she was gentle...she was my Mom

A tribute from Ann Palmer -
"All of us who knew Karen have one thing in common...we knew genuine love and laughter. Her touch was so light but lingers on my heart and never fails to bring a smile to my lips.

The heart hath its own memory
  like the mind,
And in it are enshrined
  the precious keepsakes."
        -- LONGFELLOW
Karen - I miss you.

A Time to Celebrate

As we all gather
together as one
Let's celebrate her life
and all that she's done

(She) Was an artist apparent
with the world as her muse
Her talent was creating
whatever it'd choose

She had a great husband
whose devotion was clear
They walked through the unknown
with each other near

As a mother she rose
above all the rest
She supported and nurtured
her HUGS were the BEST

She loved friends and family
and the things that we'd share
The Wren up in Harbert
her heart is still there

Invaluable her friendship
always she'd share
Your heartache, your joys
with compassion and care

She was humbled by nursing
for she felt it her call
And she was there to listen
and much loved by all

She was young and vivacious
taking care of a home
With all its responsibilities
never making it known

She's a daughter, a wife,
a mother, a friend
So much to so many
this can't be the end

So she'll be here with us
in our hearts she will go
And she'll live on forever
for we all love her so.

I love you Mom. You are a part of me that NO ONE can take away from me. Happy Birthday. p.s. thanks for the tears, i think. ;)

Karen and I met at IWU. We lived right down the hall from each other and dated fraternity brothers, so we spent lots and lots of time together. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and I took care of the bridal book at hers and Bill's. We both wound up living in Wheaton, and spent nearly every day either talking or together. How I loved, and still love, my friend Karen! Always.

I first met Karen in 1963 as a freshman at SW Hall on the IWU campus, when she and Bill first met each other and fell in love. She was beautiful, sweet and so much fun to be around. She studied art and I was a nursing student, so most of our time together was after classes (and usually after Karen's dates with Bill), but we had alot of laughs. I am so very sorry to hear of her passing

The first time I met Karen was in 2005 at an employer-sponsored dinner. She was warm and welcoming, a good listener and interested in other people. She and her husband, Bill, shared everything and together they had a big impact on my life. Always lively and youthful, Karen brought joy to her whole family.

A tribute from Jeanie High -
I remember our days as new mothers. We were so young with no clue of where life might take us. Karen always seemed very centered. She was a beautiful, free-spirited, intelligent and caring person. I always felt she found her soul-mate in her husband, Bill.

A tribute by James and Geri Smith
We have known Karen for many years. Sensitive, funny and so kind and thoughtful, she had a personality everyone loved. James and I were so very happy when Karen and our daughter, Penny, decided to go to nursing training together. Many times things happen that remind us of Karen. She will always be with us in our memories.

While we did not know Karen in life we have recently had the privilege
of meeting her family. Her family is a testament to the wonderful person that she was and her strong influence continues to shine on in her family & friends.  JoAnne & Holly

My mother was, to me, above all things, a "mom." She was always there if I was sick and needed her counsel on how to get well, she empathized with me during my struggles, supported me with my dreams, and, whenever she could, gave me the best hugs anyone could ever ask for. Despite our differences, she loved me unconditionally, and taught me to do the same. I miss her dearly...

My contribution comes as one who shared just moments with Karen in the Crisis Unit at CDH. As one of the chaplains, for a number of years I had the privilege of leading a weekly group on Spirituality. I gained a sense of Karen's wonderfully warm and friendly manner. She was clearly trusted and appreciated by the patients. Her co-workers truly valued her friendship and leadership.