Karen Lee BATCHELOR

Karen, how I wish you were still around -- I miss your warm presence and smile -- CCSF was never the same without you !

I still think of you and my heart smiles Aunt Karen you put so much into Christmas,everyone loved you.I still Miss you today.
Love your niece,
Andi Britt

Love and miss you Aunt Karen

I wish you were hear to meet my fiance Juana and soon to be baby daughter Taylor Elaine Wintersteen I know you would love them so much. I think of you often and it always has some lesson in mind when I do. I love and miss you Aunt Karen. You will never be forgotten and loved by all who you touched with your kindness.

Merry Christmas mom. I passed my test to get my promotion, as a tech at Amazon. I thought I should call you, to tell you the good news, and then it hit me i could not. 9 years later, i still love and muss you.

Love and Miss you every day mom. Can't believe has been 7 yrs.❤

You are in my thoughts all the time I wish I had your knowledge and guidance now. I should have listened to you when I was young. Life probably would have been easier for me. I know you loved us all very much and I can still feel your warmth in my heart.

ANOTHER YEAR GONE AND WE ALL STILL HAVE YOU IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS SHOWING THE WAY TEACHING, LOVING AND KARENING.

Merry Christmas Mom. There doesn't go a day that I don't think about or miss you.

Miss you still ! Love you Auntie.
Andi Britt

Happy Birthday Mom in Heaven!

Te amo mama!

It is 2 years today we lost you. I'm a little conflicted. People tell me 2 years is still new give yourself time. But, on other hand with so many emotions involved, I feel like it's been longer then two years. I still catch myself trying to call you. I miss and love you so much. My life is forever changed. I take comfort that hopefully you are at peace etc. I love you mom.

I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR KINDNESS AND THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE YOU GAVE ME. I MISS YOU AND DAD SO MUCH. YOU WERE BOTH TAKEN
FROM US TOO SOON. IT DOES GIVE ME COMFORT KNOWING THAT YOU ARE UNDER OUR LORD'S CARE NOW. YOU WERE THE BEST AUNT AND EDUCATOR IN THE WORLD. I WISH I HAD OF FOLLOWED YOUR EXAMPLE WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND FOOLISH. YOU FILLED MY HEART WITH PRIDE FOR MY FAMILY WITH YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN.

Today's post on The Write Spot Blog is a lovely tribute by Mona Mechling to Karen, who left us too soon. http://thewritespot.us/marlenecullenblog/

Karen lives in my heart. Marlene

I think of you often, Karen! Love, Kate

Remembering you , Aunt Karen. Love,Andi

Yes, it was terrific to see how CWC honored Karen this year with her story, "Eve's Leaves" in the Literary Review. We included mention of that in the Redwood Writers' website: http://redwoodwriters.org/events/norcal-events/ A fun story, one that was naughty and nice. God bless, Karen.

Oh, Kate, love your entry. I think of Karen so often and miss her terribly. She lives in my heart. It was such an honor to post her piece in the blog and how wonderful to see her story in the California Writers Club literary magazine.

Hi Karen, Thinking of you today and always! Since we had lunch at a special diner here in Santa Rosa a few times, I decided that I would have lunch there now and then as my Karen Batchelor Memorial Lunch, to have a chat with you and keep you close. Love and peace, Kate

Miss you and love you always.
Love,Andi

Aunt Karen,
I learned so much from you.I am so grateful we got to have that talk.You are much loved.Now you are with all those that we have loved up there.Please continue to guide us and give us your wisdom.I hope I can still make you proud someday.Love,Andi Wintersteen Britt

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you. Not the same without you.

Happy Mother's Day 2014.

Just thinking about you.

My sincere condolences. I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea and although I didn't know Karen (I arrived in 1975), I know she carried a great spirit of service, love, curiosity and creativity throughout her life. I enjoyed the photos.

I was in the same Peace Corps group with Karen in Korea. Had lost touch until quite recently, we'd just exchanged a couple of emails. So this is extremely sad news. My sincere condolences to all.

I'm attaching a photo of Karen taken during our Peace Corps training in Ch'unch'on, probably taken in December 1972 or January 1973.

She was so friendly and nurturing and personable and the main reason I wanted to attend the Redwood Writer's meetings when we were all crammed together in that hot meeting room in Cotati. I am very sorry for the loss of such a talented, helpful writer and kind human being.

Dear Virginia and Travis,
I am sorry that I can't join in the celebration of Karen''s life. I will be on a plane returning from Florida. It sounds like you have planned a lovely event. I will be thinking of you all.
Jo Lewis

I will always miss Karen's courage during her best and worst of times, her caring of family and friends, her gorgeous smile, her hearty laughter, and her cherished friendship. She was an inspired writer and will always remain an inspiring friend.

****Karen's Celebration of Life will be held January 25, 2014,from 4-7pm at Cotati Yacht Club, 8099 La Plaza, Cotati, CA 94931. It is a catered buffet style dinner, appetizers, dessert, and wonderful stories and singing from her family and friends. Please join us if you can make it.****

Thank you, Karen, for being so generous of your wise ways and insights. I so respect how you knew how to change things for the better with grace and authority. So many students - and your peers -benefitted from your excellence. You set the bar high. My condolences to your family .

When I think about teachers who can not only get their lessons across to students but who also inspire other teachers, KAREN was the one. She was a smart, giving, and warm person whom I really loved. Here's a picture I took of KAREN at her retirement party. It brings a mixture of both good and sad feelings.

I've known Karen since our Peace Corps days in Andong, South Korea. She was a remarkable and talented person and a dear friend. I will miss her.

I met Karen thru Redwood Writers' group about ten years ago. I was always and remain impressed with her dedication and skill level as both president and ongoing editor and guide for R.W.W.'s publications.
I personally benefitted from her expert
feedback and support over the years.
I am delighted to view these photos of her loving relationships with her grandchildren.
Her legacy will live on thru them and also thru all who knew her as a friend
and co-worker, or even as mentioned at the mail box. Once met, her impression
as a courageous, generous and wise woman became indelible and will be remembered and cherished for all the generations to come. It is this knowledge that may help ease the pain
of her death far too soon.

Carol Hoorn

I miss you already, Karen. Thank you for being a friend, for editing my first ebook, for encouraging me (as you have so many other writers), and for finding time to get together even while you were undergoing medical treatments. May you rest in peace, knowing how much you are admired and loved.

I remember watching Karen do her practice teaching during her Peace Corps training. It was clear that didn't need much guidance. She was a natural in the classroom.
I'm fortunate that she was part of my life for forty years. I will miss her.

Karen and I spent many happy hours together, but I think the happiest I have seen her was when she talked about her family especially her grandchildren. What a joy they were to her. Travis and Virginia, she was very proud of both of you. Thank you for being there when she needed you. She was dedicated to her
profession and her students, and I know she made a difference in many lives. She will be missed,but always remembered.

Oh, Karen, I will always miss you, but you will forever be in my heart. The world was a better place for your having been in it, and I am a better person for having been lucky enough to have you as my friend.
-Randi

Travis and Virginia, your mom dedicated her life to other people and in so doing, inspired people all over the world. She shared her love of music, film and people joyfully. She always expressed gratitude for her family, colleagues and friends. She lived bravely and in her writing observed life sharply, skillfully and simply. Please accept our sympathy. Bill Shoaf and Tom Miyoko

Dear Travis and Virginia,

My thoughts are with you now, and I'm thinking of how wonderful it was that your mother wrote you a year-end letter for, I think, about 25 years. I was so impressed and inspired by the idea of reviewing your year with you so that you had a time capsule, so I want other people who read this to know about that--and maybe do something similar. We were all blessed to know your mom, and as they say, even after the death of someone we love the relationship continues.

Karen was a beloved member of Redwood Writers. As a past President, she was extremely influential in making Redwood Writers the largest branch of the California Writers Club. Her five-year plan is responsible for creating the vibrant club that Redwood Writers is today. She will be dearly missed.

Karen,
I can still hear your hearty laugh -- you left us all much to soon -- we will miss you dearly....
My sincere condolences to the family...

Virginia
I am so glad you were with your mother for the last few months. She appreciated that time very much.
My condolences to you and Travis.
Jo Lewis

Karen was an inspiring and wonderful heart. She will be missed. Condolences to the family

Karen was beautiful in every way. Her lovely smile lit up Alemany's faculty room, her voice made every song she sang special, her writing was an inspiration. She was gentle, loving and forgiving and humble. I don't think she knew how special she was.
She had an indomitable spirit. I will miss her.
Jo Lewis

I'll miss Karen very much. She was a wonderful colleague and friend.

Karen and I had offices next to each other at City College for many years. She was such a warm, funny, and generous person, and of course, a smart and well loved teacher. I am glad that you have such wonderful memories to share with her grandkids. My thoughts are with you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you...peace and courage.

Karen was an inspiration to me and one of the reasons I have been a member of Redwood Writers. Thank you, Karen, for all hard work and encouragement you gave me.

These photos are precious. They show Karen's absolute joy in her grandchildren. . . unconditional love at its best. I met Karen in 2007 and we clicked right away perhaps because we shared similar experiences growing up, or perhaps that's just because the way Karen was . . caring, giving, supportive, always thinking about the other person. Maybe that's why her grandchildren were such a delight . . . she could simply enjoy and love them. I'm so glad she was able to be a grandmother, even though it was too brief. Travis, Virginia, Jeannette and your dad: my sincere condolences. Losing Karen leaves a deep well of grief. She will always live in a special place in my heart.

Karen restera pour toujours dans notre coeur. Nos pensées et nos prières vous accompagnent en ce temps de deuil. Sincères condoléances à toute la famille.

I met Karen when I joined Redwood Writers several years ago, but got to know her over these last two years. As often as she was able, she submitted wonderful well written articles titled "Part of an occasional discussion on writing fiction," to The Redwood Writer, the newsletter I am editor of. Each article was always on a different aspect of writer. Of all the articles Karen submitted, no two were the same. It was a pleasure including every word she wrote in the newsletter. Karen, may your beautiful words continue on wherever you may now be. Rest in peace, my friend. Love, Susan Littlefield

Great and inspiring woman to speak with over the years. Thanks for all the positive you brought to this world. You will be missed. My prayers are with you and your family.

Karen was an AMAZING lady that raised two outstanding, smart, independent, strong children! She was a kind and caring woman that was always willing to help others! I know she will sincerely be missed by her family and those that had the privilege of knowing her.
Karen, As I know you wanted, I will be making a donation to the Cotati Fire Department in your honor! You fought the good fight...Rest in peace Karen!!

Dearest Virginia, you have my deepest and most sincere admiration and sympathy. That you were there with her these last months of her life speak well of you and of her. May your memories comfort you.

Karen, you will be remember as a kind and loving sister, friend and daughter. Your joy in your children and grandchildren was there for all the world to see. Dad and I will miss you sorely.

My thoughts and prayers are with you both, Virginia & Travis. May your loving mother rest in peace.

I will always view Karen as one of the guiding lights of the Redwood Writers. Under her leadership, the group developed in size and scope to become the truly powerful support system it is now. Such reserves of strength and leadership are rare in one person. Where will we find another like her? Fortunately, her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of many. And so her strength is multiplied.

Karen was my neighbor for the past 17 years. Over this time I came to know her as we would visit at the mailbox. She was a very nice lady and I will miss seeing her on her walks around Cotati, and the conversations that we had. I know that she cherished her children and grandchildren and my heart goes out to them at this sad time. May Karen rest in peace and be eternally happy.

Condolences to all families affected. Even though Karen was my aunt through marriage, she was still an aunt, and still wanted the best from all of us. Looking at the old photos, I know she did a lot for our family, and our families were so close growing up. She left a legacy from her children, to grandchildren, friends, students, etc. She put up an extremely strong, and remarkable fight, and went all 12 rounds in her bout against cancer. I am relieved she is no longer in pain, but saddened that she isn't here to be in her families lives that miss her so much. It was really great to spend this Thanksgiving with her this year, and she got to see all her kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and their children as well. It was a nice farewell to see her smile and I will remember all she did for me, even as a little boy, to a young adolescent teenager, to a man, and to a father now. Your life continues through your kids, and grandkids, especially looking at Jolene, I always see a lot of you in her. Thanks for the memories, and thanks for putting up with my bad self throughout the years. I never realized how much of a pain in the a-- I was when you told me, until I became a parent myself. Thanks for believing in me, when I felt that almost nobody did. Love,

Rainier, Martha, & Dimitri Garcia

Karen gave so freely of her time and talents to Redwood Writers, as president and editor of its annual anthology. Always generous, her patience and professionalism with the efforts of beginning writers will be greatly missed. I miss her as a friend and colleague who took sincere interest in my projects. RIP Karen! With love, Kate

Karen was a great asset to Redwood Writers, which is how we met. She will be greatly missed.

We are sorry to learn of the passing of Karen, but grateful for her service to our nation as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Korea in the 1970's.

Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association

Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.