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Obituary of Karen Faith Carlson
June 12, 1943 – Galahad, Alberta
August 27, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta
Karen Carlson, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the age of 79 years.
Karen was born in Galahad, AB, on June 12, 1943, and lived in Forestburg, AB until moving to Calgary, AB in 1953, where she graduated from Crescent Heights High School. After marriage, Karen lived in the United States for 6 years, including Peoria, IL and Baton Rouge, LA where her children were born.
Drawn to the beauty of the West Coast, she moved to British Columbia in 1982, where she resided until returning to Calgary after the birth of her first grandchild.
Karen accomplished much throughout her life and was particularly proud of returning to university after raising her family. She attended the University of British Columbia, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the age of 53.
After graduation from UBC, Karen worked at the Battered Women’s Society in Vancouver and Mustard Seed Homeless Shelter in Calgary.
Karen had a passion for all things creative. She was a professional stained-glass artist for many years and enjoyed watercolor painting in her spare time. She was an accomplished pianist, classically trained in the Royal Conservatory of Music. Over the years, Karen instructed countless students in piano, and piano remained a continued passion all her life.
Karen’s most memorable vacation was when she traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii as a young woman. She often talked about the beauty, her adventures, and her desire to return one day.
She will be most remembered for her kindness, compassion, and her love and loyalty to family and true friends.
Karen is survived by her daughter Jill Simek of Anchorage, Alaska
and her son, Jeff Melland of Honolulu, Hawaii. Karen was so proud of her grandchildren: Jade, Jacob, Ian, and Shea. She is survived by her sister Nola Stuckert and nieces and nephew, Naomi, Megan, and Kyle.
Karen was predeceased by her parents Reuben Carlson and Olive (Carlson) Barnes.
Memorial Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.
The family would like to thank the staff of Moraine unit at Age Care Walden Heights for respectful care over the last 7 years, as well as the staff at South Health Campus who showed much compassion at end of life.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.
In living memory of Karen Carlson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.
