KAREN LOUISE CRAIGEN (BELL) -

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KAREN LOUISE CRAIGEN (nee BELL) 1957 - 2010 With sorrow we announce that Karen Craigen, aged 53 years, passed into the arms of her Lord on August 29 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer. Born in Kamloops, BC, Karen grew up in Surrey where she excelled in academics and enjoyed music and athletics. At UBC she obtained a five year degree in teaching (Major Mathematics, Minor Biology), graduating with honours. She taught for five years at Anne Stevenson Jr. High School in Williams Lake, BC, where she sponsored a Campus Life club and met her future husband Robert, then a Campus Life staffer, whom she married in 1984. In 1986 Robert took up graduate studies in Mathematics and she left teaching to stay home and raise a family. Karen devoted the next 24 years to making a home, raising two children and service to her church, community and Lord, remaining active in children's ministries and exploring various creative endeavours such as tilework, glass mosaics, children's crafts and sewing, generously using her talents to benefit others. A devoted mother, Karen encouraged her children to explore many different interests, and both eagerly participated in music, sports, academics and church life, thriving under her loving hand. Karen bore up with great courage and high spirits for a year and a half before succumbing. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She is remembered with love by her husband, her children Christopher (22) and Lisa (19), her parents Hugh and Elenore Bell, her brother Glenn Bell, and her brother- and sister-in-law Doug and Jacquie Craigen and their children. Her family deeply appreciates the many gestures of friendship, support and prayer by those in our workplace, church and community who have borne up Karen and us during this difficult time. If desired, contributions may be made towards a scholarship in Karen's name for prospective math teachers. Envelopes available at the service, or contact the University of Manitoba's Development and Advancement Services, 179 Extended Education, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 7 at Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church, 1771 Pembina Hwy.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2010