It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Karen on May 8th, 2021 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC. She was born January 16, 1958 in Montreal, (Côte Saint-Luc). At 13 years old she and her family moved to Vancouver (Tsawwassen).
Predeceased by her father Ian and her brother Kevin; she is survived by her partner Brian Besco, mother Valerie, sister Lynn, brother Mark, niece Erin and nephews Trevor and Josh, aunties Sheila and Audrey, many cousins and her many friends including: Eileen, Linda and Suzie.
Karen went to school for Fashion Design at Sheridan College in Ontario and then built her career in Real Estate where she worked for 36 years. Karen loved animals, especially horses and her dog Bailey. Karen and Brian happily retired to Victoria in recent years and her sudden passing from complications due to diabetes was most unexpected.
She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends who loved her very much!
If desired, contributions can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Foundation: www.diabetes.ca
Those wishing to offer condolences are encouraged to post a fond memory of a past experience with Karen below.
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18 Responses
Dear Karen, many memories came to my mind that can describe our relationship and it is thanks to you and Brian that I got to love Canada so much. You opened your house and so much more. You welcomed me as your daughter and taught me all about the country, the Canadian people, and Canadian life. I will forever cherish our moments together. The simplicity of sharing movies, to talk about a book, or simply chatting about our day. These are memories I won’t forget. It was difficult to say goodbye the first time when I left our home and is now even more difficult to say bye. I love you so much. Baci Lucilla
Deeply shocked to read of Karen`s Passing. Condolences to her partner and Family. Karen always had a smile and kind words for
others. From the first time we met to the old days of Tsawwassen Yacht Club or at High School Karen was fun to be around. She
will be greatly missed. Love to all Tim Ivens
I am sad to hear the news of the passing of an old friend and roommate. I lived with Karen and Avril right out of high school, we rented a house on 14th ave in Tsawwassen. I have fond memories of those fun days and Karen always had a smile and a fabulous laugh. She was a great roommate and always happy to help whenever we needed her. I still can’t believe it has been such along time since we were sitting on the back deck having a cocktail and laughing our heads off. Karen was a fine upstanding young lady, filled with love and kindness. My dearest condolences to her partner and family.
I was saddened to read of Karen’s passing. We worked in Real Estate way back and golfed together. What I remember and enjoyed most about Karen was her sense of humour. We sure enjoyed a good laugh together, and of course good clothes. May her family and especially Brain find comfort in your memories of having this special woman in your lives.
Once again, a very nice person has gone ahead, far too soon. I got to know Karen in the early days of my career as a Realtor, but more so, during my introduction to the world of the Organized Real Estate Profession. Sat on the Government Relations Committee together in I suppose, the 1990s, where Karen was first and foremost, a true advocate for the Real Estate consumer. A hard worker, genuine professional who seemed to possess a quiet inner strength. Karen was good for the industry. I am happy to read the numerous comments above, to learn that Karen had plenty of people close to her and she had much fun along the way. That is good.
For years I have been opening the North Shore News from the back, and for a while it seemed I was loosing way too many friends and co-workers; but because for quite a while I didn’t see anyone I knew in the obituaries, it was a double shock to see a)someone I did know, and b)someone so much younger than me – couldn’t believe what I was reading. We worked together in real estate.
So sad for her family and friends; Karen left us way too early…will definitely add her to my ‘gallery of inspirations” on my fridge door …love the way she enjoyed her life.
I met Karen in the 80’s when we both were selling real estate and having a wonderful time. She and I served on the government relations committee and travelled to Ottawa and Victoria many time to lobby the federal and provincial governments on the industry’s behalf. I could always count on her and we shared a commitment to our professions and a love of the people we got to meet. I remember one day I came into a meeting wearing a taupe suede jacket with a cream blouse and she leaned over to me and said “ if you ever get rid of that jacket, I want it”. I got rid of it only a few weeks ago. Maybe it has gone to be with her.
My deepest sympathies Brian, Grandma and Uncle Mark.