Karen Iskander

Karen Reardon Iskander, 62, entered her eternal heavenly life Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. She was a long-time resident of the Chattanooga area and attended River of Life Church. Karen was an extension of God's faith, love, and joy to those that surrounded her. She led a life of victory in Jesus. Karen was a dedicated and loving wife, an amazing mother and grandmother, and a true friend to all who experienced life's journey with her. At the age of 16, she graduated from Brainerd High School by completing her class requirements early. She then pursued her dream of a career in health care by graduating from the Baroness Erlanger Hospital School of Nursing. It was while working as a nurse at Erlanger Hospital that she met and married the love of her life, Karim Iskander, M.D. For more than 34 years, the unity between her and Karim was an example of a God's faithfulness and love. Together, Karen and Karim started a successful family-operated OB/GYN medical practice. Karen was instrumental in laying the foundation of the office, and through the gift of medicine, she and her husband impacted many lives in the North Georgia and Chattanooga communities. She took pride in being an advocate for her patients while working alongside her husband, mother, and family in the medical practice for more than three decades. Karen was adored by patients she cared for and by the medical staff, and shared her vast knowledge and genuine warmth every day.  Traveling the world with her family and engaging in new adventures remained a steadfast passion that created in her family a deep appreciation and love of the world around them. The story of her life has woven beautiful threads of love, kindness, and wisdom into the tapestry of mankind that will continue on through generations to come. She was preceded in death by her husband, Karim Naguib Iskander, M.D., and by her parents, Lester and Inez Reardon. Karen is survived by her three daughters, Kristina Iskander (Cory Pike), Manhattan Beach, Calif., Kendra Iskander, M.D. (John Kurylo, M.D.), McKinleyville, Calif., and Kellie Iskander (Danny Norton), Chattanooga, Tenn.; and grandchildren, Alexandria, Christopher, and Olivia Iskander-Pike, and Kate and William Kurylo; and many other loving relatives. Memorial contributions may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share words of comfort with the family. A homegoing celebration will begin at noon Saturday, Dec. 3, in the funeral home chapel with Pastors Alan and Terri Crider officiating. Interment in Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Hixson, TN. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.

This obituary was originally published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.