Karen Margaret Salem

Salem, Karen Margaret
73, of Laguna Nigel passed away on April 12, 2011. Karen died from complications due to lung cancer on April 12th. She was 73 years old. She was a writer, and a poet, but mostly an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Karen was born in Moose Lake, Minnesota on June 4, 1937 to Margaret and Wilfred Sanford. Karen moved to Phoenix, Arizona with her family in 1953. She graduated from Saint Mary's High School in 1955. She attended and graduated from St. Joseph's Hospital Nursing School in 1958. Karen married Albert Salem, her loving husband of 52 years. Together they raised four children in Phoenix and the San Fernando Valley. Karen worked at Northridge Hospital as an RN in the 1960s and 70s. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed writing poetry and short stories. In 2008 Karen's writings were self-published in her book It's All About Me. She felt a great deal of satisfaction in binding her life experiences and observations together for the enjoyment of family and friends. She was passionate in her love for her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was the kind of mother that every person dreams of: kind and thoughtful with her words, endlessly loving and affectionate with her actions. She was the best listener and giver of advice but only if you wanted it. Her family is not quite sure what they will do without the one who made each of them feel like the most special person in the world. She is survived by her devoted husband, Al Salem, sisters Patricia Burr and Shelley Bieger (Dan), brothers Jim Sanford (Betty), and Tim Sanford (Ginger), children Kristin Diorio, Lauren Mizar (Eric), Tom Salem (Danielle), Robert Salem (Melinda), and grandchildren Kylie Diorio, Cameron Diorio, Megan Diorio, Marina Mizar, Hannah Mizar, Erika Salem, Tyler Salem, Ryan Salem, Kyle Salem, Madelaine Hsu, and William Hsu. A private gathering will be held. In lieu of flowers, be a kind human being always.