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Karen Coe Obituary
Coe, Karen Anne
Veteran marathon, distance, and mountain trail runner, Karen Coe of Lakewood CO, passed away on April 25, 2009. She was 57. An accomplished and respected Nurse Practitioner, Karen worked at Hospice of Saint John, and more recently for the Denver Veteran's Administration. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau professional honor society and a Harvard Fellow in palliative care. Born in Syracuse, NY, she was also an award-winning journalist: editor of Sacramento Magazine; editor of Colorado Homes and Lifestyles Magazine; launching editor of Mountain Living Magazine; columnist and feature writer for the Sacramento Bee; and as the owner of her own photojournalism company in Sacramento, CA.
Beautiful, brilliant, caring, and humble, she knew how to love deeply and how to be a sincere friend. Her love of life led her to be a high achiever and she touched many people with her joyful and generous spirit.
She is survived by her devoted husband Mark Ziegenbein, Lakewood, CO, her loving stepdaughter Cynthia Baker, Santa Cruz, CA, her caring sister and brother, Lynne Coe-Gysel, Palos Verdes, CA and Tom Coe, Bellingham, WA, and her nephews Nick, Mike, and Matt Gysel. Siempre contigo my love.
Our enduring gratitude goes out to all of our dear friends and relatives who have been so loving, compassionate, and generous during this difficult time. Please do not send flowers. Instead, donations may be made to the Karen Coe Memorial Fund at any 1st Bank branch or mailed to FirstBank of Parker, 10961 South Parker Rd., Parker, CO 80134. Donations will help to defray funeral costs and to support the wonderful, caring work done by the professionals at the Hospice of St. John.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Coe
Jim Walser
May 26, 2009
Well, I haven’t seen Karen in over 30 years, but it seems that she’s been vey busy. We are cousins. Our Moms were first cousins, but also grew up just a block apart on Syracuse’s North Side. As I read about all that Karen’s been doing in her life, I was struck by the similarity to her mother, who was also very accomplished as the longtime Director of the Crouse-Irving-Memorial School of Nursing (hope I got the title right). Both well-respected professionals.
I have been attempting to put together a family tree, beginning with our common ancestor, Nicholas H. Peters, who left Europe to arrive in New York City on August 9, 1847, had six children and an unknown (so far) number of grandchildren, although two of the grandchildren were my grandfather and Karen’s grandfather, who were brothers. An unfortunate aspect of this effort is that the most common source of information is the obituary.
I was surprised and very saddened to read of Karen’s passing. She was always fun to see and always made me smile. I felt richer for the connection, was sorry when she left the state, and sorrier still that I won’t see her again. She was a good person who left this a better place than she found it.
Tera Pruitt Harvel
May 24, 2009
To the family of Karen. I was glad to have been a small part of her life. I worked with Karen at the Hospice of St John. Karen inspired me to become a nurse. She was a wonderful person to work with. I am so sorry to hear of her loss. She will be deeply missed. God Bless you all during this difficult time.
PS. I did become a Nurse! Thanks Karen for that push :)
Joanne (Winguay) McBride
May 21, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. It doesn't seem possible.
Karen and I were classmates at St. Johns. We had lots of fun as fellow chearleaders and lifeguards. She will be missed.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lori Tobias
May 21, 2009
I was a young freelancer with virtually no home writing experience, and there was Karen. She didn't just give me a chance, she took me under her wing. She was so supportive, so kind and always ready to listen. I am so sorry she is gone.
Rick Ziegenbein
May 19, 2009
I've never had a Little Sis before. It was a good feeling. She could break my mashed potatoe dam and it was alright. My thought are with you Bro and all family. We'll miss you lil sis. Rick
Robyn Lawrence
May 19, 2009
Karen gave me a chance in a field of writing I hadn't tried before--and then gave me her job as Mountain Living editor. I admired her so very much--her talent, her beauty and her joyful, bubbly presence. I will always consider Karen one of my most important mentors; she was beautiful in every way. I am honored I had the opportunity to know her, and I deeply mourn her passing.
Robyn Griggs Lawrence
Bob Burns
May 19, 2009
I worked with Karen in the mid-1980s at the Neighbors section of the Sacramento Bee. She had a terrific sense of humor and a big heart. My wife and I didn't maintain much contact with her after she moved to Colorado, but I did get to visit Karen and Mark once at their home in Colorado in 1996 and it was an evening filled with laughs. She fit a lot into her 57 years. I'll never forget her.
Chuck Richards
May 19, 2009
It is with sadness that I read of Karen's passing. I went to school with her at St. John's and remember her fondly. My deepest sympathies to her family. May she always be remembered for her full life and for those that she touched. God bless you Karen, for I know He already has.
Randy Pench
May 18, 2009
I met Karen in Sacramento on a warm August day in 1981 while interviewing for a photo position with The Bee's Neighbors section. I was hired there in May 1982 and Karen and I became work buddies, often sharing the photo lab. It was during those early years that we became great friends. We talked about everything, laughed and even cried from laughing uncontrollably. I eventually went on to work downtown at The Bee and Karen freelanced and became editor of Sacramento Magazine, a position she was very proud of. Over the years, we both got married, and together with our spouses we enjoyed all the great things in life. We biked, ran and skied together, house boated in the Delta, shared a house for a week in Mexico and had plans to sail together. And we laughed. Although we were separated by 1,000 miles, we never let that get in the way of our friendship. Even though Karen is gone from this earth, she will always be alive in my heart.
May 18, 2009
Karen was such a joy to work with at the VA's home care. She was here such a short time to have made such an impression and we are sorry she is gone. She will not be forgotten, Linda Kehm
Krista Minard
May 18, 2009
Karen and I were the editorial department at Sacramento Magazine back in the early '90s--she was editor, I was managing editor. We had a tremendous amount of fun brainstorming issues, working on stories, getting jacked up on mochas and hard candy and, too often, laughing ourselves silly--Karen had a huge sense of humor and she loved to laugh. Like many editors, she had a tremendous fascination with the English language and a rabid eye for detail, and I still have the shirt she gave me when she resigned in 1993 (to move to Colorado) and passed down the editor's pen to me. The shirt says, "Does anal retentive have a hyphen?" Weird editor humor she knew I'd appreciate. She was a great writer and editor, a wonderful manager, a delightful friend. She could always be counted on to greet me with a warm hug and an invitation to come in to her office and "twalk." Generous and humble, she had a saying: "Thanks for making me look good." Her name was at the top of the magazine masthead, thanks to her own hard work, but she never took the credit. She was a big influence on my career and taught me many valuable lessons about integrity and quality, both in life and in publishing. Karen inspired people with her writing, warmed them with her friendship and--the thing she told me was most rewarding--helped many die in peace. I'll miss her always.
Katie Duncan-Raup
May 18, 2009
I met Karen at Hospice of St. John's when she helped with the care of a very dear friend Terry Rice. A couple of years later, Karen also assisted with the care of my dad. She was always so kind, considerate and attentive. My prayers are with her family and friends.
Michael Malinowski
May 16, 2009
I had the pleasure of knowing Karen several decades ago in Sacramento when she was a writer; since then I've kept in touch on only an occasional basis as the decades slipped away. I remember her as a beautiful person in all ways; full of energy, enthusiasm and talent. I was at first surprised at what seemed like a dramatic shift in career paths when she told me of her work with hospice - but it was clear that it was a great fit for her as a bright, compassionate soul when she spoke of how much she enjoyed it. I hope as she made the transition out of this life she was aided by compassion and connection as abundant as she I'm sure she provided to so many in that 'second' career. Given how long it's been since I've seen her in person, it would be great if someone made available some photos that would refresh my memory.
My condolances to the many whose lives she touched, in so many ways.
May 4, 2009
What an awesome life Karen led. Deepest Sympathy.
Anne O'Donnell Bertrand, Wilmington, NC
Frank Duesel
May 4, 2009
Karen was a great friend at Le Moyne; Marguerite and I remember fondly the times we spent with her.
Marguerite recalls returning from the cafeteria with Karen one afternoon after Marg broke her leg. She slipped on her crutches and fell face-first into a snow bank, her full-leg cast pointed skyward. Karen was physically unable to help her out of her predicament... she could not control her laughter.
We offer our deepest sympathy to her loved ones. No doubt her boundless energy and zest for life makes her loss all the more painful; yet I suspect she would not countenance sympathy. She was kind and good to the core -- be consoled that she is surely with the Lord.
Janice McKenna
May 2, 2009
I was lucky enough to count Karen as a friend at LeMoyne and I smiled to read that Karen had worked in palliative care. I thought, "What a wonderful way for people to spend their last days--in the presence of someone as positive and full of life as Karen."
I was telling a friend that Karen worked at Henniger High when she was at LeMoyne (I believe as a swim coach, but it might have been track), She would either run or ride her bike from LeMoyne to the job. She had so much energy--all of it positive.
My sincere condolences to her family.
larry peters
May 2, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Carolyn&Butch Klinert
May 2, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Marlene La Terra
May 1, 2009
My heartfelt condolences to Karen's family! I can't find the words to express my feelings. A mutual friend introduced Karen and me when we were in high school, and we bonded immediately, even though I lived 2 hours away in Oneonta at the time. Later, Karen became my roommate at LeMoyne, and as Marilyn, one of our apartment-mates, pointed out tonight when she called to tell me this sad news, we only have good memories of Karen--her goodness, her smile, her sense of humor, her kindness and her optimistic, joy-filled personality! Unfortunately, we lost touch shortly after graduation, but I've thought of her often and have missed her. I'm not at all surprised to hear about her many accomplishments in medicine and in sports, and her continued zest for life,(although her editoral talents were a surprise!)! She was a truly special person, and I feel privileged to have shared a slice of life with her. I know she'll laugh at this, but from now on, I'll talk to her in my prayers and call on 'my Saint Karen' when I need her to pray for me!
God bless each of you and comfort you with memories filled with love and joy!
Jan Bullard
May 1, 2009
My Dearest Lynne and family- how sad the passing of such a great person. Thou she is in a far better place, she is keeping watch over us along with your Mom and Dad.
Joe Winn
May 1, 2009
My condolences to all in Karen's family. I was lucky enough in college to be Karen's friend and treasured our friendship very much. The person thoughfully and lovingly depicted in the obituary was very much the person I knew and admired in my college years. The world is an emptier place with her passing.
Rachel Bixler
April 30, 2009
Mark, my sympathies are with you. I worked with Karen for 5 years and HOSJ and loved her very much. She leaves a legacy of love and compassion for all of those lives that she touched.
Rachel Bixler
Joe Carriero
April 30, 2009
My symphathy goes to Mark and to Karen's family. She was a terrific person. I'll always remember her great smile.
Pat (O'Hern) Kolodzie
April 30, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to Karen's family. I went to school with Karen at St. John the Baptist. She was a real sweet person.
April 30, 2009
I knew Karen in elementary school in Syracuse. I can tell you that all the fine qualities she possessed, were evident even at that young age. My condolences to her family and friends.
Barbara McGinley Liberatore
April 30, 2009
Tom, I am sorry to hear about Karen. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dennis Bilbo
Kathy White
April 29, 2009
I met Karen after the Imogene Pass Trail Run a few years ago. She made a lasting impression with me with her smile, caring attitude and joy for life. After meeting her, she made such an impression that I wish I had met her earlier in my life.
We will miss her.
Kathy White
Bo DeBoer
April 29, 2009
It is with profound sadness that I write this note. Yes, Karen was a beautiful soul. I had the great pleasure of working with her at Hospice of St. John. When I saw her face come in the door, I knew the day would be OK. She always took the time to help the nurse's with patient's concerns and always followed through. She was a dear friend and a great joy to this world. I offer my condolences to her family and friends. With sadness, Bo DeBoer
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