Karen Ann Booth Salazar

Karen Ann Booth Salazar, 54, lost her courageous battle with breast cancer, passing away peacefully at her home in Aptos on August 11, 2011.

She was born on July 20, 1957 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. A few years later, the family relocated to Southern California, later moving to Citrus Heights, then to the Santa Clara Valley where they eventually settled in Los Gatos.

Karen graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1975. She continued her education at San Diego State University, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979, and receiving her California State teaching credential in 1980. She began her first teaching job in 1981 at Miano Elementary School in Los Banos, California. She loved working with children and teaching in her fun, yet effective style.

Karen married John Salazar in 1983 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Los Gatos. John and Karen were able to include all of their siblings, and some nephews and nieces in their wedding party. This was admirable in that the wedding party totaled 20. Following their wedding, Karen and John moved to Capitola. Karen taught at Quail Hollow Elementary School in Felton from 1984 until 1991. Karen and John's first child, Marina, was born in March of 1988, and in March of 1991, they were blessed with the birth of twin sons, Andrew and Nathan,. While the children were in school, Karen worked part-time as a tutor, a reading specialist, a substitute teacher, and then as a part-time sixth grade teacher at Rio Del Mar Elementary School, where she taught until June 2011 After her children were born, Karen worked part-time so that she could focus on her first priority, her family. She especially loved spending time with her husband and children, with her parents, extended family and her friends; her family and friends were so dear to her and always at the center of her life.

Karen had a fantastic energy and love for life. She was an avid gardener, filling her garden with plants, flowers, and trees. Her favorite flowers were sweet peas. She enjoyed dancing and took jazz, tap, ballet, Latin, and yoga classes at Dancenter in Capitola for over a decade. Karen was an avid movie-goer, and loved listening to music, as well as reading. She was very artistic. She enjoyed watercolor painting and picassiette ceramics, and was accomplished at knitting and crocheting. She also was a member of her Bunco group, "The Bunco Babes," for 18 years.

Karen was always willing to volunteer in her community. She was a member of the Nursing Mother's Council for five years; she taught Sunday school at Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Aptos for ten years, and volunteered in all of her children's classrooms.

Karen is survived by her loving family: her husband John; her daughter Marina 23; her twin sons Andrew and Nathan, 20; her parents Herbert and Patricia Booth; her two sisters Kathy Dauz and husband Jolly, and Kristine Ludwinski and husband Rick; her brother Paul Booth and wife Stacy, 12 brothers and sisters-in-law from the Salazar side of the family, and 16 nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life is planned for this Sunday August 21st at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church located at 900 High Street in Santa Cruz. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall on site. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer a donation to WomenCare of Santa Cruz.