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Karen Moser Obituary

Karen Moser March 10, 1962 - October 17, 2005 Karen Moser has joined her Dad, Mother (Tom and Dorothy Moser) and Brother (Tom Moser, Jr.) in heaven. I can hear her now, " Patti, what's Grandma - a left over? " No one who knew Karen has a dry eye - she was known by many and loved by all. She was taken from us suddenly - but she was so happy and excited as we were leaving the same day for a cruise to Hawaii. Her cruise turned out to be to heaven instead. She was 43 but lived an amazing life. Born March 10, 1962 in Warren, MI the doctors there didn't think she would (or should) live. But she showed them. We were near that hospital when our Mom died and she asked me if I knew where the Doctors who delivered her were - I didn't but asked why. "I would just like to SHOW them." She once told a new mentor "You know I used to be Down Syndrome". Her biggest joy was her "Independence". She did Special Olympics for years - just won a gold metal in the State Olympics. She regularly took part on a panel for the Law Enforcement Academy Crisis Intervention Training. She was on the Client Committee at Tucson Residents Foundation. She always said she was following in her mother's footsteps - and being an advocate for the Developmentally Disabled. She was one of a kind, was loved and knew it. Fry's will have one too many "already Chickens" on Fridays from now on. She leaves behind her sister, guardian and godmother Tricia Dernison and her husband - Karen's "favorite brother-in-law in the whole wide world", Hans both from Tucson. Her brother, and godfather, Dan Moser from Tucson and Scottville, MI. Sister- in-law, Pam O'Brien of Greenville, MI; aunts, Elyse Decker from Greenville, MI, and Alysun Mangum of Madison Heights, MI. Nephews, Aragorn Moser of Oakland, CA, Nathan Moser of Belding, MI and Josh Moser of Grand Rapids, Mi. Grand nieces, Alyana Decker and Madison Decker of Greenville, MI. and Jasmine Moser of Grand Rapids. And don't forget the love of her life, Reba her cat. We will all miss you. A Memorial Service will be held at Unity Church of Tucson, 3617 N. Camino Blanco on Sunday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m. and funeral Mass in Grand Rapids, MI. She will be interred next to her parents and brother at Resurrection Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers donations can be made for trees to be planted in the Karen Moser Garden at Handmaker where Karen worked for 11 years. Tax deductable donations can be sent to Carol Sack at Handmaker's Foundation % Karen Moser Garden Fund, 221 N. Rosemont, Tucson, AZ 85712. I can just see her at the Pearly Gates arguing with St. Peter, " But can't I just go on the cruise first?! "

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Oct. 20, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Karen Moser

16 Entries

Carolyn Lindeman

November 1, 2005

I first met Karen back in the late 1960s when her brother, Tom, was married to my best friend Pam and they lived near me in Royal Oak, MI. The whole Moser family treated Karen as a valuable, precious, special member and she definitely lived beyond those expectations! She was one of the funniest people I have ever met--happy no matter what she was doing--and made everyone around her laugh with glee and feel her joy! Tom adored her and rode her around on his shoulders when she was little. In the times I have seen her since then, she never lost that innocent joy of life and ability to find humor everywhere. She always called Pam "sister-in-law" with that gleam in her eye and made me laugh so hard that I would have tears streaming down my face! I know Karen is laughing and arguing with Tom in heaven right now and I know Dorothy and Tom Moser are thrilled she is with them. My deepest love to all the Mosers, including Patti & Hans, Pamela, Elyse and family, and Alysun. I love you all very much. XOXO Carolyn

Art Martin

October 27, 2005

Karen always had a ready smile at work and seemed to be truly proud of her job. My most vivid memory of Karen was one day when she had punched out for the day and she was walking up the main hall to the main exit. She was all smiles and talking....on her cell phone. She was certainly someone that exceeded all expectations.

janice and Virgil evans

October 23, 2005

It was a shock to hear about your passing. We just couldn't believe what happened. It was a pleasure and delight knowing you. Just a few weeks ago we were at special olympic swimming and we all had a blast, and you were so excited about your gold, which you deserved. Margie will miss you tremendously on the team. God bless you and your family. All of you are in our prayer's.

Helen Butler

October 21, 2005

I knew Karen through my niece her past mentor Kathy Cooper Wane. Karen was an beautiful person and her passing is a loss to all who were lucky to have met her. She would attend family functions and we so enjoyed her humor. Our family was shocked by Karens passing but we all know she has become a beautiful angel. My deepest sympathy to her family who were very fortunate to have such a lovely person in their lives.

God Bless

Helen Butler

The Huffmans

October 20, 2005

Tricia and family- we read Karen's Memorial via a friend in Indiana who's mother knew Karen from riding the city bus and her sharing her inspirational stories. What a wonderful impact Karen has made on the world, and how she has paved a path for our younger children. Our condolences, what a great loss.

Jan, Jeff and Nash (4 with Ds)

Lisa Wall

October 20, 2005

I have only met Karen one time, when she came to speak to us at one of our DS Connection meetings. I remember I was truly impressed by her. She gave us hope for our children with DS that they too can become successful in their own lives. I only wish I could have had a chance to personally get to know her. I am so sorry for your loss.

Sincerely, Lisa Wall

Caroline Ganz

October 20, 2005

Dear Karen,

God speed and good journey home. We didn't get to meet you but have heard so many wonderful things from mutual friends in the community. Your light will continue to shine.

With Love,

Caroline, Frank and Aileen Ganz

Liddie MacNeil

October 20, 2005

I had the pleasure of knowing Karen through Tucson Parks and Recreation. Karen was a participant in many of our therapeutic programs. Karen was a very kind and gentle person. I will miss her as I know all of the Therapeutic Recreation staff will. She was an inspiration and a blessing

Julie Cooper

October 20, 2005

To the family of a very special lady who I had the pleasure to know and care deeply for her. Karen was first introduced to me by my daughter Kathy Cooper Wane who was a mentor to Karen a few years ago.

One Thanksgiving my daughter asked me if she could bring Karen to our house for Thanksgiving dinner with our family. During the holidays we would spend them with my mother and brother and sisters and their children. Karen walked in and saw everyone and said "whoa you have a very big family Kathy", which of course made us all laugh.I had attended a few of Karen's recitals with my daughter and shared a few lunches at restaraunts with her and some of my sisters.I will miss her always smiling face and 101 questions she loved asking. My prayers to her family who helped a young woman accept who she was and made others love her too. God speed Karen till we meet again.

With sincere sympathy

The Cooper Family.

Linda Harrington

October 20, 2005

Although I didn't know you personally, you have made a lasting impression upon me and my family. I pray that I can help my son to develope into a wonderful individual like you. God bless you and keep you. Thanks you.

Kathy Wane (Cooper)

October 20, 2005

Karen first blessed me with her pressence over 7 years ago. I was to be her next mentor following in the footsteps of Vikki and the infamous Carrie King. At first I thought it would be impossible to fill the shoes of Carrie, and Karen soon let me know I was right. I wasn't there to replace anyone, I was there to became the next important piece in Karen's life puzzle. We quickly became friends and she was an instant member of my family, as was REBA. When Trisha was out of town, my family welcomed Karen for Holidays and BBQ's and always asked about her when I showed up alone. During my time as Karen's mentor, we learned a lot from one another. At times she became my mentor, Karen was incredibly intuitive and understanding. Realizing I had my own personal life to deal with, she felt I needed to be there more for myself, than she needed me. It was very heart-breaking for me, but I soon remebered she would be gaining another puzzle piece, not a replacement. The news of her passing was quite devastaing, my mom took it very hard, she loved Karen as all of us had. The reality has finally sunken in, and the memories have started to resurface. She will be missed be all. God Bless You Karen. Now you are OUR special angel.

Kathy Getman

October 20, 2005

It is with heavy heart that I write how much Karen will be missed in our Tucson Community, by those who met her, and those yet to have had the pleasure. I only met Karen once, when she and two gentlemen, all of whom had Down syndrome, offered to speak to our local support group, The Down Syndrome Connection, about 3 years ago. Many families, like my own, wondered about what life would be like for our children who were born with Ds. Our parent's hearts expand tenfold, when they meet and get to know their beautiful children with Ds, but surely worry about what the future holds for them...what are the possiblities?

Well we all remember Karen, and how vivacious she spoke of her life, her great love of her parents, her start in Michigan and her move to Tucson. We were amazed by her accomplishments, her zest for new adventures, and her independence and most especially, her radiant beauty. Did I mention her humor too? Gosh, we did laugh! Karen made a huge impression on our familiies that attended that day...it makes me so sad that we didn't have the opportunity to share more of her than we did. I am sure she had this kind of impact, everyday of her life.

She was very beautiful. Her life so well lived. She is an inspiraton to many. She will be greatly missed by a community who really needed her here. Many heartfelt condolences to her immediate and extended family.

Sincerely,

Kathy Getman

The Down Syndrome Connection

Tracie Marble

October 20, 2005

Joel and I will never forget you!!!

Aimee Roads

October 20, 2005

We will greatly miss Karen as she attended many programs over the years offered through the Therapeutic Unit, Parks and Recreation Department. She was a joy to be around and always made us laugh. It was a pleasure to be invited as a host on a taped segment on Access on Tucson. She will always be remembered in our hearts.

Sharon Galarza

October 20, 2005

Words alone cannot describe what the heart feels when it is breaking. Thank you Karen, for blessing my work days with your spirit.

Malika Tazi

October 20, 2005

Karen was truly one of the purest souls I have ever met. I am Jackie Casolare's cousin and I too work at Tucson Residence Foundation and have met Karen and her love Reba many times. There are no words to describe what a wonderful person she was. I stopped in my tracks when Jackie called Monday and told me that she was gone. It was truly sureal. She will be missed by many, you can be sure of that. What a beautiful obituary and picture. I will be with Jackie at the Memorial Services here in Tucson. God bless Karen and her family.

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