ForeverMissed
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Karen Jean Grant, age 70, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2019 in Everett, Washington after decades of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Karen was born October 24, 1948 in Omaha, Nebraska to Herman and Ruth Kortright and graduated from Benson High School in 1966. She attended The University of Nebraska at Kearney before her marriage to William Howard Grant in 1972.

Karen always gave more than she asked for, and then gave some more. A spirited and always smiling ginger, she believed you can do anything in life if you try. She was a nurturing Mom and Grammy, teaching everyone by her actions how to love, laugh, and take a moment to take a deep breath. She was an entrepreneur, with businesses in cleaning and interior decoration with her best friend, and also worked for family businesses. She went into high tech project management in the Silicon Valley with a successful career before retiring.  She adored quilting, sewing, cooking up a storm, and doing crafts with her grandchildren. Every day she went out of her way to make sure people were appreciated. If a larger than life redhead smiled at you one day while eating blueberry pancakes at a diner, that might have just been her way of sharing a little love with you.

She is survived by her husband William Howard Grant, her children – Jason Jeremy and his wife Michele of Everett, WA, Emily Marie and her husband Ron Gould of Morgan Hill, CA, her brother Keith Kortright of Omaha, NE, and five grandchildren - Zachary, Tyler, Evan, Andrew, and Aaliyah.

She is preceded in death by her parents Herman Kortright and Ruth Kortright-Anderson, sister Kay and husband Harry Lyman, and brother Dr. Kenneth Herman Kortright.

Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Omaha, Nebraska will be at 10:30am on July 13th, with A Celebration of Life at noon at the Tangier Shrine Center.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Providence Hospice and Home Care Foundation of Snohomish County, to whom the family is incredibly grateful for their generosity, kindness, and compassion.

February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Mary Frederiksen Brown (Posted from Facebook): I am so sorry for your loss Emily and Jason! I have very found memories of your mother when we were growing up! Sending lots of love and prayers for healing as your family goes through this! ❤
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Tina Gass (Posted from Facebook): I am so sorry for your loss! Sending love your way.
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Tom Dalby (Posted on Facebook): Condolences to you and your family, Emily
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Paul Elam (Posted from Facebook):  Jason, I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. Glad she lived nearby in these final months and that you shared some great memories. Best to you and your family.
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Hello Karen. Although we haven't talked in quite a while, I have been thinking of you so much lately, even before I heard about your current situation. I miss our great conversations. You are one of the most real and honest people I know. We could really talk from the heart and share our innermost hopes, fears, and aspirations. I'm glad we became friends and helped each other through some tough times at work. You are a blessing to all of us. I will keep you in my heart. Love and hugs to you, my friend.

Very sorry to hear about your loss.
-Bonita Gohler (Posted with Facebook)
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Sammi White (Posted on Facebook): Your Mom was a very sweet women, I am so sorry to hear of the families loss.
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
Robin Porter (Reposted from Facebook): Sorry for your loss
February 21, 2019
February 21, 2019
I am so sorry. I grieve with you, and pray for healing peace and comfort at this very difficult time. Love you!
-Betty June Barton
(Reposted from Facebook)
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Recent Tributes
October 24, 2022
October 24, 2022
Karen I think about you all the time. I miss just picking up the phone and talking with you. You were an amazing mother-in-law and friend. You always made me feel so loved and special from the moment we met. We would race each other in the mornings to make something special. We would talk about anything. I just loved hanging out with you. You made me smile and a better person. I’m so blessed that you were my friend and mother-in-law. Happy birthday I love you!
February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
Two years ago, at this time, I was holding your hand. I had a sleepover with you in the hospital for that one last girl's night. It was my time to take care of you. I knew what was happening, but emotionally I kept trying to be strong. Buy by 10am I was weeping and panicking. I could feel it, I could see it; maybe you were already and angel watching over us in the room. I cried and pulled myself together and cried and pulled myself together. I needed to be strong -- for you. To hold tight and take care of dad, to make sure you had every comfort possible. Our last words were over 48 hours ago by phone, and you were only able to say "promise me" before you ran out of strength and fell back into sleep. I love you and I miss you every day. 
July 1, 2019
July 1, 2019
Karen, we called each other “little buddy “ and we were each other’s best buddies! From 7th grade and forever. Best women’s in each other’s weddings, college roommates, house roommates, creating Paper Dolls and working together, amazing times spent watching each other’s children grow into fine adults and suppling us with beautiful grandchildren to spoil. There are a lifetime of fabulous memories we created and not all shareable! I often felt I was more of a Kortright than a Decker. I love you forever and a day and was very blessed to have you as a best friend. Hope there are Rice Treats in heaven! Until we meet again!
Recent stories
February 23, 2019

Grammy was a strong woman. She's making a transition to an existence that humans can only dream of. Experiencing wonders and lands we can't begin to fathom. Remember to not dwell on her passing too much but the times we spent with her. I know it's really hard, it's hard on me too.  Let's continue living the best lives we can in honor of Grammy and to one day join her in what is next.

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