Karen Ann McCole

Our beloved Karen Ann McCole tragically left us on May 27, 2024.
Karen was born Karen Ann Palmer to Burwin and Dorothy Landis Palmer in Nebraska. Her family moved to Colorado where she and her sister Shirley attended elementary school, before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the early 60's. Karen graduated in 1964 from Sandia High School then went on to earn an associate's degree in business from the University of New Mexico. In 1965 she married her first husband, Bill Allan and they moved to California where Karen worked at the university while her new husband finished a bachelor's degree in Archaeology.
She had her son Christian in 1968 and her daughter Elizabeth joined the family in 1973 after they had moved back to Albuquerque to pursue a career with the federal government. After 17 years of marriage, Karen and Bill divorced in 1982. In the early 80's Karen met and fell in love with James (Jim) McCole, they married in 1986, and relocated to Seattle, Washington, where both worked for the Department of Veteran's Affairs until 2003 when they left civil service returning to New Mexico to enjoy retirement in Las Cruces.
Karen was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and was president of her local chapter during 2022-2023. She enjoyed reading and took part in a monthly Mystery Book Club. Playing Mah-Jong weekly, Canasta and traveling were also activities she greatly enjoyed. Her favorite trip was a river cruise in Europe, and she looked forward to planning more trips.
She is survived by her husband, James McCole, her sister Shirley (Carson) Becker, son Christian (Julie) Allan, daughter Elizabeth (Jason) Moody, nephews Brendan (Karen) Becker, Waylon (Holly) Becker and Preston Becker, grandchildren Kimbrell Allan, Douglas Moody, Trevor Moody, Kenzie Moody, Nick Allan and Sean Moody.
Visitation and a service will be held at Getz Funeral Home on Saturday, June 8th, at 10:00 a.m. Cremation will take place and a private burial will be held at a later date.