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BORN
1940
DIED
2024
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Karen Bosworth Obituary
Born and raised in Healdsburg, Karen was the daughter of a local doctor and nurse, Kenneth, and Ruth Dunlavy.
With a love of science, Karen graduated from University of the Pacific in 1962 where she was a member of sorority Delta Gamma. She then went to work in San Francisco at Southern Pacific Memorial Hospital as a medical technologist until she was introduced to Harry Bosworth, of Geyserville, on a blind date in 1966 and they were married the following year.
In 1968 they bought the local hardware store, then a small ranch and started a family. After a few years of trying to "live on love," Karen went back to work as laboratory technician at the Healdsburg family practice of Grace, Neal, and Wellock, where she worked for close to 20 years. She then transferred to Healdsburg Hospital and occasionally covered shifts at Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol. After retiring, she enjoyed pouring wine in both Geyser Peak and Silver Oak's tasting rooms.
Karen was a devoted mother to her two daughters Rachel and Gretchen, and with the arrival of her granddaughters, Morgan and Amy, Karen happily retired to help with their care.
Karen tried many hobbies and participated in many activities: She collected carnival glass, she taught Sunday school, she enjoyed photography and took classes at the SRJC, she played with the Geyserville Mickeys coed softball team, and loved her monthly dominoes matches with friends.
Karen was very active in her community and especially with support for healthcare or public education. She was a past president of the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce and member of the Geyserville Community Foundation and Historical Society. She served on the boards of Alliance Medical Center and the Healthcare Foundation, as well as the Geyserville school board, Sonoma County Committee on school district organization and over 20 years as a trustee of the Sonoma County Board of Education.
Karen is survived by her daughters Rachel (Dean Prat) and Gretchen (Brian Crebs), her granddaughters Morgan and Amy Crebs, her brother Norman (Peachie) Dunlavy and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Harry Bosworth.
A celebration of Karen's life will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 11:30am at Catelli's Restaurant in Geyserville.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Alexander Valley Healthcare.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Bosworth
Sponsored by Fred Young Funeral Home - Healdsburg.
Earle Cummings
April 24, 2024
Karen's childhood home on Grove Street was the next house to the north from my Grandparents' home. As a child, my Dad's job with Shell, took him from San Francisco to Manhattan, but he often flew back and forth to San Francisco. Small children could ride for free, so one summer, when I was 5, he brought me out to stay with his parents. Karen was such a great neighbor! She let me come play with her and her brother Norman. She put us together to open a little lemonade stand on Grove street to sell cold lemonade to hard-working farm workers who drove past. Norman taught me how to drown out a yellow-jacket nest in the vacant lot between their home and my grandparents' house. He had me hold the hose, while he went and turned on the water. And when the yellow-jackets swarmed out and stung me all up and down the arm I held the hose with, he showed me that smearing cold mud up and down where I was stung eased the pain a lot. So much to learn from those Dunlavy kids! Karen is certainly missed!
Kenneth
April 3, 2024
My Aunt Karen will be greatly missed. I received so much love and laughter from her always. I will miss her infectious smile after she would call me Kenno. Our family Thanksgiving and Xmas holiday dinners at their house when I was a kid were the best. I wish I could have told her thank you for allowing me to stay at there house during the summer in high school. How fortunate I was to have the privilege of being her dance partner while we took country dance lessons at the Villa! I will cherish my memories of her forever. Love you Karen
Phyllis & Jim Pedroncelli
April 3, 2024
I'm going to miss Karen not only at our dominos games, but seeing her
wonderful smile. She will always be #1. She always knew how to be a good
friend. Love to her beautiful girls.
Phyllis & Jim Pedroncelli
jill kaufman
April 1, 2024
I was privileged to work with Karen for 16 years on the Sonoma County Board of Education. Karen was a good friend and mentor to me and I am grateful to have known her. She was always kind and was one of the finest people I have ever known. I am so sorry for the family's loss.
Ann Hathaway
April 1, 2024
I worked at the store for Harry and Karen and Karen was always so sweet. I know she will be missed by her girls and Norm.
ME Banda
March 31, 2024
I remember her very nice lady always shopped at Bosworth hardware..RIP beautiful lady
Debbie Howell
March 28, 2024
I last saw Karen at a Geyserville Chamber dinner and was gabbing away at her, when all of the sudden she smiled and said, "Debbie, it is so good to see you", I laughed with her and we hugged. Karen was an earthly angel, sent to make our lives a little better with each smile. She will be missed by all who knew her. My sincerest condolences to her loved ones. God's speed Karen, say hello to Harry and Joe for me:)
Dolly Oberti
March 28, 2024
I remember her smile and genuine interest. At Maggie and Jiggs she purchased an oak barrel bench that I made as a scholarship silent auction item. She took the time to listen about how it was inspired, by mentoring a child in woodworking skills; and, when I saw her she always told me how much she liked her bench. She took the time to appreciate all the little things of life and the energy of people.
Candy Cadd
March 27, 2024
I worked at Bosworth´s Store for a few years. I Loved it when Karen would come in to the store and sit on the stool and chat! But the best was her laugh! I can still hear it! Harry and Karen were very special to me! Candy
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