KAREN ANTOINETTE GAWNE (nee CARUSO)
October 6, 1944 to October 10, 2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, sister, Aunty and friend …
On October 10, 2011, Karen Gawne passed away peacefully at the Boundary Hospital. She was born at Princeton, B.C., on October 6, 1944, and had just celebrated her 67th birthday with her family and friends.
She is predeceased by her parents Joe and Mabel Caruso, and her brother Ken Caruso. She is lovingly survived by her partner of 25 years, Richard Frederickson; son, Michael Gawne of Penticton; two sisters: Cindy Horkoff and Tina (Wes) Bryan of Grand Forks; brothers: Joe (Liz) Caruso of Kelowna, Steve (Donna) Caruso of Grand Forks, Allan Caruso of Penticton; and many nieces and nephews.
Karen’s family moved from Princeton to Penticton in 1957 where she completed her schooling in 1962. She worked at various jobs including a bank teller for the Canada Bank in Penticton for several years and as a cook in many of the local restaurants here in Grand Forks. Karen loved the outdoors, nature and spending time with family and friends. She loved her son Michael very much and looked forward to his calls and visits, often planning days ahead what they would be doing when he came and she also had a special bond with her niece Amy Semenoff. Amy and her children Abby, Hannah and Brycen enjoyed many visits together, the girls making gifts and pictures for their Aunty Karen, gifts Karen cherished. No matter what the weather was like Karen would be on her scooter off to Kokomos for coffee and visit with friends. Karen was a kind and good-hearted person. She was a genuine friend and in spite of her own sufferings always worried about others, asking, “how are you doing?” She enjoyed a good road trip whether it was a drive around the North Fork loop or a quick trip to town or beyond with Richard. Richard called Karen his angel but we also know he was her angel, who loved her more than words, could say… faithful until the end.
Karen knew the pain of mental illness and she had a heart for those who suffered, she was one of the founders of the “Granby Club House”, the Caring & Sharing group that was formed years ago, here in Grand Forks. We are asking that donations be made to the Granby Clubhouse in lieu of flowers: send to The Granby House, PO Box 34, Grand Forks, B.C., V0H 1H0, or drop off your donation at 8443 Riverside Drive, Grand Forks, B.C.
A memorial service celebrating Karen’s life will take place at the Grand Forks Funeral Home at 1 p.m., on October 22, 2011, and an interment will be set for a later date. Grand Forks Funeral Home had care of arrangements.