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Karen Broderick Obituary
09/29/1968 - 12/18/2024
Our beloved and wild-hearted Karen Anne Broderick passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from pneumonia on December 18, 2024, at the age of 56. Her family and friends were deeply saddened by her passing.
Karen was born on September 29, 1968, to Wendell and Verna Broderick and grew up in Lafayette, where she spent countless hours riding and training horses. After graduating from Acalanes High School, she studied art at Cuesta College. Karen began her career in the biopharma industry as a research associate at Elan Pharmaceuticals and later joined Genentech. She loved being part of research teams and formed many lifelong friendships during her years in the lab.
Her love of nature led her first to Costa Rica, Lake Tahoe and eventually to Shasta County, where she found joy in the mountains, lakes, wildlife, fishing, and wide-open spaces. There, she built a close-knit community of dear friends. Above all, she cherished time with her family - especially her five nieces and partners.
Full of life and humor, Karen always had a funny story to share from her many adventures. She traveled to Venice, Tuscany, and Rome and enjoyed the people, cuisine and beauty. She was deeply loved by her family, friends, and pets.
Karen was predeceased by her father, Wendell, and is survived by her mother, Verna (Mike); sister, Kathy (Stan); brother, Jeff (Lata); nieces, Jane, Julia, Courtney, Whitney (Mike), and Zoe (Mark and baby Kai); cousin Eric (Dierdre); Ed & Amy and Britt & Andreas.
A memorial service near Mount Lassen is being planned. For details, please contact Jeff ([email protected]) or Kathy ([email protected]).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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