Karen embodied everything that being a strong female role model should be. She had a heart of gold, but told the truth when you really needed to hear it, and this helped our family greatly as my mom- one of her closest friends- was battling early onset Alzheimer’s. I will never forget her kindness to our family during this difficult time. We all bonded over our love of my mother and her homeland, Newfoundland. Our Newfoundland home will always be open to any Usavage that would like to visit! We will miss her dearly.
I met you in 1998. You became my mother-in-law in 1999. Over the next 25 years you would become so many more things to me...mentor, nurturer, role model, caregiver, debater, favorite pie maker, champion, the list goes on... above all else you became my dear, cherished friend. There will never be a day that I wont think of you and smile. You made a profound impact on my life and I will love you forever.
What a lovely obituary. I worked early in my career with Karen as the nursing supervisor. She was just as you described, by taking control and directing whenever necessary. We, like most friends got caught up in life and grew apart. But once she was retired and I lost my mother, whom Karen knew, we grew close again. She was a great support to me when I lost my sister as well. She hosted lunch more than once and I agree she was a great cook. I will miss her occasional run ins at the grocery store. I was not ready to lose her. Rest in peace Karen! We will take it from here. Love to your family as you process losing your Mom. She was a blessing.
