Karen GOODEN

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GOODEN: Karen Lea (Hickling) May 1, 1951-Sept. 4, 2013 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Karen Lea Gooden (Hickling) of Fort McMurray, AB on September 4, 2013 at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre after a brief and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Karen was predeceased by her father Roy Wallace Hickling and her mother Lola Ruth Hickling of Brandon, MB. Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband of 40 years, Richard Kent Gooden, her two children Kim Halhead (Brad) of Calgary and Kurt Gooden of Toronto and grandson Brayden Halhead of Calgary. She also leaves her sisters Trudy Hickling of Calgary and Beverley Borotsik (Dennis) of Milton, ON and mother-in-law Mary Gooden of Brandon. There are 8 nieces and nephews who also mourn her loss, but celebrate her life. Karen was born in Dauphin, MB and the family moved to Brandon shortly after. Karen attended Harrison High School, was a cheerleader, an honor student and achieved a brown belt in judo. She maintained a lifelong circle of close girlfriends through high school association and membership in Brandon’s YMCA Iota Gamma Chi Club. Karen went on to attend the University of North Dakota’s 4 yr major in Health, Phys Ed and Recreation. Karen and Kent married in 1973 in Brandon taking up residence in Ottawa, ON while Kent was finishing university. This was followed by a move to St. Catharines, ON in 1974 where their daughter Kim and son Kurt were born. The family moved to Fort McMurray in May of 1984. While in St. Catharines Karen became involved with the YMCA rising to Program Director. Shortly after arriving in Fort McMurray she joined the YMCA during the period of construction and commissioning of the new facility becoming the Manager of the Westwood YMCA. In 1993 Karen joined Some Other Solutions Society for Crisis Prevention (SOS) as Suicide Prevention Coordinator where she became the “face of support” for individuals in crisis in this community, soon becoming Executive Director. Under her guidance the organization’s scope grew to include a 24 hr/day crisis line, the Grief and Loss Program, the Students Assisting Students Program/Mentorship Program in all Public and Catholic Schools, the Heart of the Matter Programs as well as the Suicide Prevention Program. With passion and quiet dedication she would educate the community on what Some Other Solutions was all about. Family life revolved around supporting her children’s many sporting activities, especially the Fort McMurray Ski Team, summer holidays at the cottage, winters skiing and more recently boating in and around the Gulf and San Juan Islands. She was particularly proud of her two children and thrilled with the recent arrival of her grandson Brayden. Her family loves her and will remember her vibrant life and gentle soul forever. A celebration of Karen's life will take place at 3:00 p.m. Hyatt Regency, Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, September 14th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Ovarian Cancer Canada or SOS, Fort McMurray (someothersolutions.ca). Messages of condolencesmay be sent to condolences.for.karen@gmail.com and will be shared with the family.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 11, 2013