Karen Louise O'Brien

Karen Louise O'Brien, age 70, passed away in Pensacola, Florida on Friday, March 20 2025.

Born June 30, 1955, in Carlisle, PA. Daughter of Col Francis W. O'Brien (retd) & Eleanor K. (Lambert) O'Brien. She lived in Destin, Florida, and worked at The Logo Place until her passing. Karen was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Karen is survived by her nephew, Darren L. Reeves, and Nieces: Laura (O'Brien) Roach, Kathleen (O'Brien) Allen; Bridget (O'Brien) Rosenberg, Krystal (Reeves) Gagliardi; Drew Smith & Kimberly Coon and by her sister-in-law, Sandy O'Brien of Ashburn, VA. Karen had many great-nieces & nephews that she adored. Karen was preceded in death by both parents, brother - Lt. Col Francis W. O'Brien Jr (retd) & sisters Patrica Marie O'Brien and Mary A. (O'Brien) Morris.

Karen never met a stranger and had a remarkable gift for making people feel like they were her closest friends. Her legacy also lives on through her "chosen family" - a close-knit circle of friends who were like brothers and sisters to her, especially Chip and Caroline Wasson, who now lovingly care for Karen's favorite child, her beloved dog, Nealy.

Services will be held at McLaughlin Funeral Home (17 Chestnut Avenue SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548), Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, 1-2 pm, with burial and graveside service immediately following (~2:30 pm) at Destin Memorial Cemetery (111 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, Florida).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Karen's honor to organizations she loved, including the American Heart Association or where Nealy was adopted at Alaqua Animal Refuge.