Karen Mae Eckley

1950 - 2021

Karen Mae Eckley

KAREN MAE ECKLEY, born April 9, 1950, went peacefully to her Lord on June 24, 2021. She left two adored adult daughters, Tori Dunphy, residing in Maine, and Jill Dahlen, residing in Seattle. Her son, Greg Eckley, sadly passed some years ago in his late teens, a blow to her that her heart carried ever after until she was blessed now to be with him again. Also leaving behind her beloved grandchildren who cherished "Nona" as their hero, closest pal and icon. Leaving also James Eckley of Paradise Valley, Arizona, her former husband of many years and always her life-long friend. Her parents, sister and brother are long passed.

Karen was a bright, good-humored, sweet, industrious, gentle and very generous spirit who was a joy to know and be around. The bumps of Life and the Fates did not give her any "freebies," and even dealt a lot of potholes for her to traverse, but she persevered through the hardships, always, and usually with a joke or two about it to ease the way for others. Then, after each set-back, she just dusted herself off, continued to look caringly after her loved ones and moved on to the sunnier days she always believed were ahead. And because of her input, they always were.

Karen worked many years as a trusted paralegal and accountant. In and out of those worlds, she made many friends and always had time to help or visit with them. She loved hours of happy talk. She was fascinated by simple things like the odd curios she would joyfully pick up in garage sales—some of which are so unusual that to this day no one knows quite what they are. She was impeccably honest, just and kind, she put everyone's interests ahead of her own, she was frugal for herself, but she gave generously from what she saved to all others in need. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was glad for the life she was given and no one who ever met her had any but kind words to say of her.

She is mourned by all those she had to leave behind who knew her, loved her, respected her, laughed at her jokes and, yes, even appreciated those mysterious garage-sale "whatchamacallits" she proudly displayed on every shelf of her Phoenix home.

Karen was an inspiration in how to properly live a Christian life in heart, soul and deed. She will be deeply and forever missed by all those who knew her.

A private Memorial was held by the family. Her Guestbook for condolences may be found at www.obits.azcentral.com and the family will shortly put up a Memorial website under her name where Remembrances may be left.