Karen Cooper Obituary

In addition to the many contributions in her lifetime (many of which I just read about today), Karen was known by her Visalia duplicate bridge buddies as COURAGEOUS. Throughout her battles with her cancer(s), she retained her special smile and her sense of humor, particularly with her favorite bridge partner, Howard. The two of them could jab at each other and laugh with each other; they had a very special relationship. She created memories for her family and they will carry them in their hearts in the years to come. What a wife, mom, friend and true CHRISTIAN! She walked the walk and talked the talk and our Lord blessed her for it.

It is so hard to believe that Karen is gone. She was an exceptional person. So many women were blessed by her help and caring. How can it be that she is gone. Chris and family, my heart goes out to you with prayers of healing for all of you.
your friend and high-school classmate paula wright aka paula tormohlen

Karen will be greatly missed. . . Her influence and inspiration has reached throughout the state.

Linda Miles
Siskiyou Domestic Violence & Crisis Center
Yreka, CA

My thoughts and prayers are with Karen's family and loved ones. She was such a wonderful woman and colleague, who was always trusted for her wisdom and vision, and I can't imagine the loss to those she loved. We will greatly miss her.

dear chris and family, so sorry to hear of the passing of karen...i was a part of her early years and karen was such a strong person way back then.....jr. high school and high school...she accomplished so much in her lifetime. i know you are so very proud of karen and all her traits will come through in her children, to continue. i wish all of you well and again, am so sorry about this sad news...take care

Dear Chris, Jayne,Paige and Matt: Words seem inadequate to describe and truly honor Karen's wisdom, talents, contributions, friendship, leadership, great sense of humor and dedication to her family, her agency, her beloved causes, the community....she is missed!Many blessings on you all.

My heart goes out to your loved ones left behind.I didn't get the honor to meet you face to face,but my friend Kathy Contreras told me alot about you,and loved you very much,and spoke highly of you. We talked about you,because I was doing Relay For Life, and she did a donation in your name, and I made a luminar for you at our RFL event in Tulare last year.May God Fill Your heart With Many Good memorys...God Bless

I was so sorry to hear of Karen's death. I knew her in high school and she embodied the joy, the adventure and the commitment of that time. I'm glad to see that the arc of her life always reflected it.

Karen was a true friend, leader and community role model for Visalia and Tulare County. We miss her and her brilliance, wit, caring, humor, ethics, and love of family and friends. We will miss her deeply and extend our thoughts to Chris and her children.
Vicki Stasch and Dick Shirk

Karen will be remembered by so many people for so many things. Her strength, intelligence and humor and quick wit made her someone we admired and adored. We will miss her and remember her through those she loved and touched. We will remember her !

Dearest Coopers, Honnells and family, Love and prayers for a 2012 filled with fond memories of your wife, daughter, mother, sister and friend. We will miss Karen's humor and wisdom. She was a stalwart for those in need. Her work will continue with the countless friends she inspired over her amazing life. My life is richer for having known her. It was an absolute honor to call her friend. She is no doubt, enjoying a good glass of red and a book in peace. Our Love, Joe and Theresa LoBue

Inspiring amazing woman, you will be sorely missed

What a honor to work with such a brilliant woman! Karen was so proud of her children; a loving and caring mother. You will be missed by so many!!!

Dear Honnell&Cooper families,
Karen was the "glue" of many things and people. She was the one to take the lead and knew how to turn it over when she mentored the people she took on. So many lives were helped, secured and lifted up with her guidance and sense of humanity. But her personal beauty, humor and reputation will never be forgotten by those that loved her, worked with her or were fortunate enough to be a close friend or family member. I'm sure she is now at "Sisler's Beach", getting it ready for all to follow and what a grand time that will be (again). Peace to all of you and Karen for showing the love and strength that we all need to remain strong in these difficult times of loss.
Fondly,
Hugh Baca & family

Susan and family - Karen showed me what it looked like to follow your passion and how much one person's efforts can make a difference. I know that there are no words to help with such a huge loss... just know that you are all in Ed's and my prayers with much love.

Karen, we will miss your great spirit! Your boisterous and distinct laughter will always resonate in our memories of you. Thanks for all your good works that have touched and changed so many. And thanks for being You!

Susan, Lisa, Greg, Chris:
I am so sorry to learn of Karen's passing. She was an inspiration and admired by many, many people. My deepest sympathies.

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I am so sorry for the loss of this awesome woman, may the Lord hold you, her family close at this time, know that she no longer suffers and that her legacy will remain with those of us that she enabled to become victims no more. Our prayers are with you.

Karen was an inspiration to all and such a strong advocate for women. I considered Karen a mentor to me, and although her thoughts and opinions were sought after by many important leaders throughout the state she always made you feel like you were important too. What an amazing woman. She will be missed by many.

Susan and family- I am so sorry for your great loss. Karen sounds like such an amazing adventurous spirit and champion of those who could not champion for themselves. What a life of exploration and service she led- may her spirit live on to inspire everyone to live as largely. I send you all peace. WIth love, Sarah

Rest well our friend, your work here is done. We will carry on your hopes and dreams.

Lisa, Susan, Chris and kids -

Karen was an incredible person - but what stays with me over the ~55 years she was my friend was her incredible kindness. All her other fabulous attributes were true, but she was always kind and a true friend. And I'm truly going to miss her laugh.

I tend to remember the littlest things, and with Karen it is Hearts, spoons, and bodysurfing at Cayucos. In a greater sense, Karen, you were an individual who I knew was a role model from an early age. Karen, you served as a moral compass for me at an early age. Karen always provided a human perspective to life's issues. Thanks Karen for being a good teacher. Thanks for your thoughts at my brother Stew's memorial. Our thoughts and prayers go to Chris, her children, Lisa, and Susan, and Guy, and the recognition of a wonderful human being, thank you Karen, Bob Sisler

Such a great Lady who will be so sorely missed by this community. Such a legacy that will ever be with us.

I deeply regret to hear of the loss Karen, your wife, sister, mom, friend. I pray that you will be comforted from the joyful memories that she so prolifically supplied.

Such a wonderful woman, Karen gave me my first job that had meaning, for over 7 years I worked in almost every program Family Services had to offer and loved every minute of it. Karen was such an inspiring person to all who had the privilege of working with her, her humor and great personality will never be forgotten. Karen's dedication to helping those in need is a quality of hers that i will never forget and will continue to follow in her footsteps, she will forever be an inspiration in my life
thank you for everything you've done for your employees and everyone in our community. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Karen will be greatly missed. Working with her through The Partnership was always a joy. She will always be remembered for her contributions to the field, her wisdom, and her caring ways.

My prayers are with you Chris and your family. Karen will be truly missed. We all are better for having known her and having her amongst us for the time we did. Many will continue to spread the hope and blessings she brought to so many. God bless.

We wish to express deepest condolences to the family of Karen. Your loss is great and we share in your grief. Karen was a great inspiration to me and her laugh was pure magic. The loss to our community is immeasurable.
Gayle (Browning) Cain

I never had a big sister, but that is what Karen was for me. Our families were together for many summers during my early years. The strongest memories I have of Karen are her infectious laughter and her words of wisdom. She loved giving advice on the best way for me to conduct my social and educational life in Jr. High and High School. Just what a big sister would do. I loved her.
Norma Sisler Simmons

Chris and Family
What a great loss to the world. I know
her passing will leave a great void in
all your lives. My deepest sympathy to
you. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.

With great sadness I reluctantly have to accept her passing. What a great person she was. I was always in awe of her from the first time I ever met her. mondo

Karen was an inspiration to women everywhere and a testament to what influence and change can be created by a single person. She was a wonderful role model and she will be sorely missed. I am honored to have known her.

So many of my childhood memories on Myrtle St. include Karen. It was a great time. You will be missed. Kathy Barrington Cole

I am so saddened by this news from afar. I send all my love to all of you at this transitional time and pray you keep your faith close to your heart. I believe her legacy will live on forever as she will in the hearts and souls of us all.Love Leonique

To our beloved sister, we are so fortunate to have shared this life with you. You will be with us always in our hearts.
Lisa and Greg.

I am glad I had the pleasure of working side by side Karen Cooper, as she trained me during my internship with Fresno State. It saddens me to see that she is gone. Time stands stills for no man. Karen, did much and like I told her, "I was truly glad I got the opportunity to work with a woman like her." She was Amazing, gifted, talented and overall admired. She cared about the Domestic Violence Shelters all over the world. I will hold on to the things she demonstrated and shared. Karen is gone but truly not forgotten. A piece of her lives in everyone she has touched and/or influenced.
With Love