We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Karen King . Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual gatherings, we will post invites. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Karen King, age 67, of Colonia, NJ passed away on April 17, 2020 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She was born in Edison, NJ and grew up in Elizabeth, NJ. She was the daughter of David King and Lois Smith (Engwall).
Karen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She and Cynthia married in 2014 but have been loving partners since 1989. Karen was a vibrant, giving soul with a bubbly personality that made all that... see moreKaren King, age 67, of Colonia, NJ passed away on April 17, 2020 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She was born in Edison, NJ and grew up in Elizabeth, NJ. She was the daughter of David King and Lois Smith (Engwall).
Karen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. She and Cynthia married in 2014 but have been loving partners since 1989. Karen was a vibrant, giving soul with a bubbly personality that made all that came to know her, love her. She was a sign language interpreter for the deaf at Passaic County Technical Institute where she helped shape the lives of countless students. The staff and students there also had a genuine love for Karen and enjoyed her keen sense of humor and ability to give everything of herself to others. She and Cynthia also worked together providing theatrical interpreting for over 10 years at Plays-in-the-Park in Edison, NJ. She had a great love for animals and nature. She especially enjoyed working in her garden and feeding & watching birds. She also loved making stained glass ornaments. Karen was extremely interested in geneology and spent hours researching her family's history and connecting with new found cousins and relatives across the country. She had an unfortunately difficult health history but her strength and perseverance with the support of her wife and family helped her overcome many obstacles throughout her life.
Karen is survived by her wife, Cynthia Ruetsch; daughter Erika Kitz (Braun) and husband Mark; son Christopher Braun and wife Cindy; Five grandchildren, the joys of her life, whom she loved dearly, Charlie, Tyler, Andrew, Olivia and Austin; sister Donna Trenchard (King) and husband Paul and brothers Greg and Glen King; mother-in-law Joan Ruetsch; brother-in-law Raymond Ruetsch and wife Michelle and three nephews Brandon, Zachery and Kyle; In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son Jason Braun and her father-in-law Raymond Ruetsch.
Karen loved this photo we took in Kohl's last December 2019. Another shopper snapped the photo for us. From the moment Karen saw it she decided we would send out Christmas cards for 2020 & this the perfect picture for it! I must admit she was right... it... moreKaren loved this photo we took in Kohl's last December 2019. Another shopper snapped the photo for us. From the moment Karen saw it she decided we would send out Christmas cards for 2020 & this the perfect picture for it! I must admit she was right... it would have been a great Xmas card! 🎄 less
Karen loved this photo we took in Kohl's last December 2019. Another shopper snapped the photo for us. From the moment Karen saw it she decided we would send out Christmas cards for 2020 & this the perfect picture for it! I must admit she was right... it... moreKaren loved this photo we took in Kohl's last December 2019. Another shopper snapped the photo for us. From the moment Karen saw it she decided we would send out Christmas cards for 2020 & this the perfect picture for it! I must admit she was right... it would have been a great Xmas card! ????
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
—Kahlil Gibran
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
—A.A. Milne
I don’t have a specific memory of Karen but what I can share is how warm and special she always made me feel. Throughout my years of friendship with Erika I’ve had the opportunity to share time with Karen and not only did she have a great sense of... moreI don’t have a specific memory of Karen but what I can share is how warm and special she always made me feel. Throughout my years of friendship with Erika I’ve had the opportunity to share time with Karen and not only did she have a great sense of humor but she was always so welcoming.
I enjoyed watching her play and interact with her grandchildren whom she loved so much.
My heart is with you all đź’• less