September 5, 1956 – September 22, 2013
It is with tremendous sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Karen Ann Richardson on a peaceful September Sunday at her home in Victoria, British Columbia. She leaves to cherish her memory, her parents, George and Tannis Richardson; her sons, Taylor, Fraser and Andrew (Kaitlyn) Somers; her daughter, Tannis Somers; her brothers, David (Pamela) and Hartley (Heather) Richardson; her aunts, Kathleen and Shirley; her dear friend, Bruce Homer; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends across the country. Karen was predeceased by her sister, Pamela and her grandparents, James and Muriel Richardson and Dr. Paul and Gladys Thorlakson. Karen was born in Winnipeg and attended Balmoral Hall School before she graduated from St. John’s Ravenscourt and studied nursing at the University of Manitoba. Childhood summers at Lake of the Woods, picnics at Bunkie and dancing with her brothers at the Yacht Club dance were some of her most cherished memories. Karen married Frank Somers in 1978 and they lived in Toronto briefly before relocating to Winnipeg where their four children were born. In 1995 the family moved to Victoria. Karen was a deeply caring person, and found her calling lending her time and energy to a vast number of charitable organizations, as well as serving on the Board of her children’s school, Glenlyon-Norfolk. Karen considered her family to be her greatest achievement. She was profoundly proud of her four children, and loved them deeply. Karen was recently joined in life by a wonderful friend, Bruce Homer. They enjoyed travelling, walking along the beach with their dog, Jaeger and watching the sailboats together from the Sunday morning steps. His love and companionship brought her much joy in the past years and her family is grateful for that gift.
A funeral service and celebration of Karen’s life will be held on Thursday, October 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, British Columbia (Quadra Street at Rockland Avenue) with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada in memory of Karen. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
46 Responses
Thinking of you with deep sadness Tannis, George, David and Hartley.
We pray for peace, strength and love to honour your magnificent daughter Karen’s life, and now
her sudden passing.
She remains in our hearts.
Jacqueline Longstaffe
Brandy Aubin (daughter)
To the entire Richardson family, please accept our sincerest condolences on the sudden passing of Karen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Peter & Dana Jessiman
I offer my deepest sympathy to all the family on Karen’s untimely death. Like many others I remember her as a warm and thoughtful person.My prayers and thoughts are with you. Judy Lamont.
We offer our deepest sympathy to all of Karen’s relatives and close friends. We overlapped in the company of Daisy and Jimmy Sinclair in New York and on Martha’s Vineyard several times and came to love Karen’s company and sense of humor. We send you all our heartfelt condolences and hope that the knowledge she had so many friends and admirers, like us and everywhere, will bring you peace.
John and Lucy Duddy
“Cattle die, kinsmen die,
all men are mortal.
Words of praise shall never perish,
nor a noble name.”
Havamal
I came to SJR for Grade 12 only, and felt
the awkwardness of a newcomer. Almost forty years have
passed and my classmate Karen’s kind words
and welcoming nature remain with me as if yesterday.
Never perish indeed.
My deepest sympathies.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences over Karen’s passing. We are so saddened by your loss. We have known Karen for over 30 years and will always remember her as the most caring, very classy and wonderful person.
Our love and thoughts are with you.
Our hearts go out to the Richardson Family and particularly to Karen’s children. We are there for you Dave & Pam.
Chris & Susie
It is with profound sorrow that I learned of Karen’s passing. Karen was a good friend in our high school days, and I occasionally had the pleasure of seeing her in Victoria in recent years before I moved away. She was a wonderful person with a friendly, positive outlook and a strong social conscience. My sincere condolences to her family.
I was very sorry to read in the Globe and Mail of your daughter Karen Richardson’s death. I was an assistant at Maude Chapman’s when I first met her where she would come in to pick up her Mother’s dresses then wait for her Father to come and drive her home. Over the years I waited on her at Ports International and the Mirror Room. She was a real delight, always considerate and kind. It was a privilege and pleasure to look after her. Last time I waited on her she proudly showed me snaps of her babies. She will be remembered as a lovely person inside and out.
Sincerely Edith MacDonald
It was with great sadness that I read of Karen’s passing. While our lives only crossed for a short time during my GNS days, Karen shared such warmth and kindness in all her actions. She made the world a better place by sharing her heart with those she touched and beyond with the philanthropic work she did. To the kids who are no longer kids and Bruce I will hold you in my prayers.
Wishing you many blessings, I remain, ever hopeful.