Obituary of Karen Lynn Hanlon
Mommy, Roses are red. Violets are blue.
No one can ever have a mommy as kind and sweet like you!
Karen Lynn Hanlon (Friars) was born in Guelph, Ontario, the eldest daughter of Dr. Gerald and Dorothy (Dann) Friars. A self-declared Maritimer, she chose to spend as much time as possible on the Belleisle Bay. Wearing tie-dyed shirts and bell bottoms, playing the recorder on street corners, and decorating her room with lava lamps and carpeted footprints, Karen was a hippy at heart. A committed day-dreamer, she creatively expressed herself at every opportunity, painting scenes and sketches of the places and people she loved. An accomplished writer, Karen was forever exploring how best to share stories through her characters. The publishing of her short story, “The River”, in 2002 was a source of joyful pride.
In her younger years, she and her brothers (Doug and Jim Friars) got up to lots of mischief in Mosborro, including finding some creative uses for Raid. Her good friends Lois and Nancy were lifelong supports and flower arrangers. Karen’s summer adventures in New Brunswick allowed her to find her kindred-spirits, Faye and Nancy. Aunt Neet and Uncle Russel were early and long-serving strong influences who helped her develop skills as a dishwasher.
When she followed her mother’s footsteps and became a nurse in 1978, Karen found companionship and was recognized for her excellence at Saint John School of Nursing. She especially loved her time working in the Grace Maternity Hospital in Halifax with the premature babies in the NICU.
Karen -married Jamie, the love of her life, in 1980. They built a life full of love, laughter, and Sunday music. Professing to have found her soulmate, no one could doubt the love and commitment between these two.
Karen was a caring mother who instilled in her daughters, Rosalie and Jeana, a love of books, the arts, and encouraged the pursuit of hobbies just for the pure joy of it. She taught them that it was good to be weird. She was loving and supportive, with strong ideas of proper behaviour – especially when it came to spitting.
Auntie Karen loved to make her nieces and nephews laugh. She had a magical way of injecting fun and enthusiasm into boring situations, like letting the kids give directions while she drove, or by pretending she was a spy. She also found a way to pass off jello and whip cream as salad at family gatherings, much to their delight. Early morning rides to airports never elicited complaints. Karen relished the opportunity to connect with her niece over a shared love of reading and writing.
A loving Granny to her grandchildren, Austin and Lincoln, who were shining lights through to her heart until the very end. Lots of giggles, hugs, and ice cream shared between them and oh, the love. The love, love, love, love.
Oh, when darkness comes and pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl.
Karen, I still love you. You will always be my “Gorbs”.
Arrangements are under the care of Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Rd. Quispamsis (849-2119). In keeping with Karen’s wishes there will be no funeral services at this time. Online condolences may be placed at: www.KennebecasisFH.com
