Karen Jane Marsh Watson

We are sad to announce the passing of Karen Watson on August 31, 2024, at Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto following a courageous battle with cancer.

Karen approached every challenge with intention and determination. Dealing with this blood cancer was a perfect example. She thought about what the problem was and what the likely scenarios would be. She thought about the journey to its eventual resolution and learned as much as she could from the most knowledgeable people available. Almost a decade ago she researched the Death Cafe movement and organized a series of inspired events in our community. The multitude of caregivers in her circle and the scores of health care professionals within the University Healthcare Network in Toronto will recognize this disciplined, stubborn approach.

Karen was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1956. She studied design at the University of Tennessee before pursuing a Masters degree concentrating in housing and public policy at Penn State University. It was there she met her husband, Barry. They moved to Toronto in 1982.

Karen worked for almost two decades in various ministries of the Ontario government before moving into consulting where she focused on organizational issues and program effectiveness until she retired in 2017. Many of the people she worked with at the Ontario government remained lifelong friends and colleagues.

Karen was a long-time Beach resident in Toronto, enjoying many years of bike rides along the lake and picnics with her family. She put a great deal of her energy into Beach United Church, which she saw as an opportunity for reinventing a progressive environment for personal exploration, development and social justice. She was a major force in the multimillion-dollar creation of a space at Beach United Church that was designed to meet the real needs of the people and communities over the traditional religious trappings normally associated with a church. No detail was too small. Being mindful of the environmental goals of Beach United Church, she researched the behaviours and habitat of the families of the endangered chimney swift birds discovered in the midst of the renovation, and took action to protect them.

She was a natural artist, as talented at drawing, sculpting, painting and furniture design as she was at sewing and cake decorating. Music was a constant in her life, whether as a solo performance, singing in a choir or humming in the kitchen. And when she wasn't practicing French for her next trip to France with Barry, or making notes for a meeting of the book clubs she loved so much, she was in her beautiful garden, debating whether a particular space warranted a native plant or whether a species she had seen on her travels could be accommodated.

She will be lovingly remembered by Barry, her husband of 43 years; son Ed and daughter-in-law Kirsten and grandsons Liam and Noah in Vancouver; daughter Kaitie and son-in-law Lefty in Toronto; brothers Charles (Lynn) in Pittsburgh and Carl (Elizabeth) in Nashville and so many others. She was predeceased by her mother (Dora) and her father (Carl). Her devoted circle of friends cherished her support, humour, fun companionship and grace.

Karen's family have held a private small ceremony. A Celebration of Life she planned - The Dance of Living On - will be held in the spring. Donation in memory of Karen can be made to Myeloma Canada, the cause of her choice: https://myeloma.ca/ .