Karen Reeves Obituary
Karen was a free spirit in every sense of the word - adventurous, fiery, and passionate. Her passport was a roadmap of memories: sunsets in Costa Rica, mountain trails in Peru, ski slopes in Alaska. Wherever she went, she found beauty, laughter, and friendship.
She lived life on her own terms, always chasing the horizon, always saying "yes" to new experiences. Whether skydiving, kayaking the rivers, or riding her bike down the coast, Karen brought light and energy to everyone around her.
As a sister, friend, and wife, Karen was fiercely loving and endlessly supportive. Karen lifted others up with her generous heart and left behind a legacy of kindness, courage, and love.
Karen leaves behind her loving husband: Julio Ramirez; her mother: Sally Reeves; her brothers: Kevin and Nathan; her sisters: Sarah (Jason Fritz), Rachel, Leah, Hannah (Nazar Budz), and Emma (Sharon Yohlies) and extended family including grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and nephews and many friends across the world who were touched by her wild, beautiful spirit.
Karen has been reunited with her beloved father, Randall Reeves, and all the other loved ones who welcomed her with open arms.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Pinnacle Peak Mortuary in Scottsdale, Arizona with a Celebration of Life to follow.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen Reeves, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Bethany bryan
October 17, 2025
I am without words, friend. I cannot believe this. I am just hoping that I can wake up from this nightmare. I miss you and love you so much, friend. You are the bestest best friend ever you were so loving and caring. You were such a huge ray of light that brightens any room when you walk in, thank you for always being there for me! Fly high mamaz sending my condolences to Julio and family
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Elizabeth O´Brien
October 17, 2025
Karen- my heart hurts that you are no longer physically present on this Earth but I know we will meet again as we always have in the past. You are love and light. Always filled with undeniable optimism and living life to its fullest! It´s a good thing you did as you have gone too soon. I have so, so, so many memories with you and the first was when you rolled into the little port town, Puntarenas in Costa Rica. You were so young, yet so brave. I could not believe you had taken your giant old beater of a car all the way down the West Coast of Canada, down the US, and through Central America with not much other than a dream, a fold up bicycle, your kayak on the roof, a 50 lb jack to fix said car and a passport. It was then you had your first wild experiences in Mexico but you made it safely to Costa Rica. You did not know a soul, had no job, did not speak a lick of Spanish but your determination made it work. I worried so much about you riding your bike on that crazy road from the Port up to near where you lived by the hospital. I´ll never forget duct taping my flashlight to you in the hopes of protection. Even though we did not have much, we had all we needed. On your birthday, you made a cake. I couldn´t believe how much you must have spent on candy to make it an elaborate masterpiece in which you were so proud to share with friends and strangers a like. Your heart could see no wrong in people. You always wanted to love, trust and believe in people as though they all had a heart like yours. That car took us to Tamerindo where of course we got a flat tire in the side of the road... again, I found myself holding the flashlight in an effort to protect you while you got the jack out and changed the tire on a terrifying road. We had many fun nights dancing, hanging at Padrinos or simply on the beach. You were always so enthusiastic about the smallest of things and brought such beautiful energy. Pura Vida. When I had my bicycle accident, you were right there caring for me even in ways that I know made you uncomfortable but you did it anyway as you knew I needed you. (For the record, I will need you to continue to look over me my beautiful guardian Angel.)
After Costa Rica you were anxious for your next stamp in your passport. (Other than your trips to Nicaragua and Columbia to sell your car). You had all sorts of ideas where we could go and meet up but I met you with resistance sighting time and money as my reason for not joining. My (who be came our) lovely friend Anne Halm, had asked me to go to Jamaica. I denied her also. Even though the two of you had never met, i offered to connect the two of you. You got along with everyone so i knew you ladies would hit it off. Last minute you talked me into joining the adventure. There we hit up Jamaican day at the local school, dance contests at Margaritaville, beach time and jumping off the cliffs at Ricks!
I will never forget the random day you called me and said, `what is your dream Lizzy?´ My dream?, I questioned. I had always dreamed of going to Australia. You quickly responded that you wanted to explore Australia also. I again used my trusty excuse of needing time and money to take a trip as far as that. You asked me what I was doing the upcoming summer... you had me there but I retaliated by saying flights alone are probably around 2 grand... you quickly got off the phone with me and promised a call back shortly. Less than half an hour later my phone was ringing with the news that you had found round trip tickets to Australia, leaving the day after school got out until the week before for $1200. That was it... we were off to Australia!
We had a little layover in Figi and I had to talk you out of jumping in a taxi and missing our flight- luckily I won that one! You found us a few cool Air B N B´s with great people and a greyhound bus ticket that provided free WiFi and jump on off service for the 2 months of traveling up the East coast of magical Australia. You joined me in the world of diving, renting mopeds to cruise around the kangaroos. Introduced me to your amazing friend Thea and family who opened their doors and hearts to us. We went to the Whitsunday Islands and hiked the mountains and dove in the gorgeous bay. You got us set up to volunteer on Orpheus Island with more amazing people from around the world! You met a beloved family member of mine that took to you like family also of course. We went to Fraser Island and I made sure I took you in that little Sesna with me to see the silicone sand phenomenon and whales migrating from above! That trip was so incredible and I certainly would not have done it without you! When it was time to go... you weren´t ready and stayed on to explore more!
Once back from Australia , you were ready for your next adventure. You organized a trip to visit me in New York and scuba diving in my home state of Rhode Island and made sure our trusty Danish `sister´ Malene joined the adventure too! Another visit you were up for the Newport Saint Patrick´s Day parade. It´s amazing how many of my friends that had the fortunate opportunity to meet you and those that never did have always hear about my adventure partner. I love you Karen- your heart- your optimism- your love of life-thank you for all the lessons. Your presence in this earth will be missed greatly but the memories will live on forever. Live life to its fullest and enjoy the small glimmers in life! Pura Vida and love always! Xoxo
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