Wednesday, October 19, 2022
I am so very saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. We first met in 1952 when we were 3 years old– we called each other “my first best friend”. We lived on the same block on Jessie Avenue in Winnipeg and spent many hours/days/years playing. I remember painting at a picnic table in her backyard, and endless hours swinging on their “huge” porch swing. It was magical! Karen and I ended up in different grades in school because of the Nov 30th cutoff for entering Grade 1. Being the “elder” friend, I remember walking her to kindergarten when I was in Grade 1. We stayed close during those years. She sang “Love Me Tender” at my 8th birthday party. She had a lovely voice. Karen was always so gentle and her smile could light up the world. Over the years, I would have recognized her anywhere by that smile! She moved away shortly after that, but then we did too and we both ended up in River Heights. We were in square dancing class in about Grade 5 or 6. We went to the same high school. After high school, we lost touch. Karen married Bruce and spent the years looking after her family. I moved to Vancouver. We connected on Facebook several years ago. Then one day, she called. She and Bruce were thinking of house-sitting on Gabriola Island, where I currently live. Wonderful! It was so great to reconnect and she was just as kind and lovely as ever. And I got to know Bruce – he’s a gem! They called me a week ago from the hospital and we talked about them coming back to the coast. I am devastated that we can’t see each other again. Bless you my friend. Love you.
Your first best friend, Donna
