To Our Karen: I Love You

January1

Don: Karen passed away today (Saturday, January 1, 2011) at about 10:40am. She was at Bay Medical Center. They did their best and Karen went easily and in peace as her Mom and I sang, “I’m a Winner Either Way.” This was very unexpected at this time so there have been no arrangements made for services yet. Please watch this site for information on up coming services.

posted under Notes from Don

21 Comments to

“To Our Karen: I Love You”

On January 1st, 2011 at 5:53 pm The Blackburn Family Says:
Our thoughts & prayers go out to all of you. If there’s anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to call. We love you guys! And please give Jacob an extra hug from us. Karen will always hold a special place in our hearts!
On January 1st, 2011 at 6:03 pm Jeannie Whitworth Says:
Dear Don,
My prayers go up for you and the family. Karen fought a good fight and you were there every step of the way. Karen was a strong lady. She is in the arms of Jesus now. Take care of yourself and God bless you.
Jeannie Whitworth
On January 1st, 2011 at 6:06 pm Jan Evett Says:
Oh, Don, I am so sorry. Karen has been such a wonderful champion and inspiration to so many! My hear breaks for you and your family. Praying for you all at this time. She is with the Lord she loves and who loves you all also. Love and prayers.
On January 1st, 2011 at 6:26 pm michele mays Says:
Don, I am so sorry to hear about Karen. She will be missed greatly! Have comfort knowing she is with her Lord and Savior. My prayers are with you and Karen’s family.
On January 1st, 2011 at 6:49 pm brian bastien Says:
Don :
word’s can’t express how i feel right now,i’m truly in shock,our thought’s ,prayer’s are with you & family.I remember sitting outside our room’s listening to the kids sing & play their instruments.I remember i was in isolation and she came in to see me her smile lighted me up and put me at ease.If there’s anything we can do just let me know.God bless
On January 1st, 2011 at 8:42 pm Lisa Burdeshaw Moats Says:
Don: I am so sorry for your loss.

Karen: I love you and will miss you dearly.
On January 1st, 2011 at 8:45 pm Mary Kummer Says:
Don, You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I know what a couragous battle she has fought these last 18-24 months..your faith, love & courage has been so encouraging and uplifting..she was so lucky to have you in her life to support her..As difficult as it is right now..just embrace the fact that she is no longer suffering. What a beautiful song you & her mom sang to her as she Jesus was lifting her into his kingdom…awesome… I always say that praising our Lord in song is like praying twice..how fortunate Karen was to here you doing that for her. I know when my dad passed away only 3 months ago..as difficult as it was..those final hours of our family gathered around him praying over him and with him gave us much comfort in the end here, but for the beginning in “Heaven”…I will see you in the next few days..please let me know if i can do anything for you!
Love and Prayers always, God Bless you and your family to get through this difficult time. Mary Bus’ Kummer
On January 1st, 2011 at 9:21 pm Madeline Brunty (MoM) Says:
It is with a very heavy heart that I bid goodbye to our daughter, Karen. She went to be with the Lord this morning, 1-1-2011. Her little heart just stopped beating. I was with her in birth and death and all the time in between. What an amazing journey. Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be her Mom. Take care of her until I see her again.
On January 1st, 2011 at 9:37 pm Charles & Nita Emanuel Says:
Madeline, Ken and family:
So sorry for your loss. Karen was a inspiration to all. We are keeping you all in our prayers.
Charles & Nita Emanuel
On January 2nd, 2011 at 12:33 am Lori Burleson Says:
My heart goes out to all of Karen’s family and close friends for your tremendous loss. Though my path has only crossed Karen’s once or twice in the last 10 years or so, I remember her with great joy for her inquiring mind, her bright spirit, that sweet smile, her determination in this recent battle, and her love and dedication to her family. I know she will be greatly missed and will be praying for you daily.
On January 2nd, 2011 at 9:50 am marsha Says:
Dear Don,my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you.As Karen will be greatly missed.She was a Princess and a Warrior.You were her Prince.Her children,mom,dad,sisters were family and her love.All of you gave Karen a reason to fight on and she did so with grace and beauty.All of you walked through the fire and were tested,hearts of purest gold.I can only say God Bless You all.Aunt Marsha
On January 2nd, 2011 at 11:19 am Joyce Lewis Says:
I was not fortunate enough to meet Karen, but have had the immense pleasure of working with Don. Without a doubt, Don’s love and admiration for Karen came through in our communications. God Bless Karen and her beautiful family. Joyce Lewis
On January 2nd, 2011 at 9:42 pm Donna Mims Says:
Don and the Brunty family

I can’t beilieve this is real. I can remember being kids with Karen and there were a group of us kids that hung out together out in those woods. some of us had horses and others motorcycles. We got together all the time just riding through trails and hanging out at the pond and each others houses. Karen will always be alive in my heart, as a beautiful, free spirit and loving individual like no other. When we were in nursing school together, her personality just shined. Always a friendly smile and loving hug. My heart goes out to you, Don and kids, Mr. & Mrs. Brunty, Laura and Jenny.
May God heal and bless all of you
On January 3rd, 2011 at 12:13 pm Beth Says:
Don & Family,
I was checking on updates about Karen and just saw this message, we are so sorry to hear she has passed. We loved having her come and visit and used to spend hours talking to her about horses. Our thoughts are with you.
Love,
Beth, Ragab, Nadia & Karema
On January 3rd, 2011 at 1:24 pm Scott & Jennifer Bowman Says:
Don
We are so sorry for your loss….. What an amazing person to be in the presence of our Lord. She will be missed. Scott & I are currently with the Southerlands in DC for Steves swearing in. But please know you are in our thoughts and prayers….
Love,
The Bowmams
On January 3rd, 2011 at 6:57 pm Miranda Bushnell Says:
Sorry for your loss. Karen will be thought about often! My daughter share her passion for horses. We ride out there where her horses are some, and I always hoped I would see her out there! She is now in a better place! May God Richley Bless you all!!
On January 3rd, 2011 at 8:32 pm Nurse Leslie Says:
Dear Don and the Brunty Family,

I don’t have the words to express my deepest sorrow for you right now. I feel like I have become a part of your family over the last 15 months. I can truly say that I am a better person having known Karen and all of you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love, Leslie
On January 3rd, 2011 at 9:30 pm WNABCWGRL Says:
Strange, words somehow escape and elude me now when i would most love to have a flowing of them to try and somehow comfort all of Karens loved ones , to express what a special person she was, to share what a impact she made on all the people she touched. My heart is heavey at thought of her being gone yet if i can close my eyes and remember thru my tears the infectious smile she had , the one that made you smile when you saw it , eyes that were filled with kindness and love for others and excitement for life it allows me to smile. Karen and i did not spend alot of time together, infact very little but she touched my heart and soul quite deeply. I met her about 8 yrs ago we made a sort of friendship and for a while we stayed in touch. Several years passed and i often thought of her …we had a bond of sorts that girls who love horses understand. I ran into her again a couple of years ago just before she became sick.Our love of horses had again brought us to cross paths. When i found she was sick i grew to appreciate even more what a wonderfull person Karen was, how strong, unselfish,and truly beautifull a person could be.
She taught me alot about myself, about real love, suffering, and what having faith is. I am going to miss her …the world will be a heavey place without her here – she was a teacher for many people and i am sure she enriched alot of lives . I hope that karens family can find comfort in knowing what a light she was in this life and that she is one of Gods brightest angels.
On January 4th, 2011 at 12:19 pm Celia Bush Says:
Don,
My heart breaks for you and your family. I never did meet Karen but have followed her progress since this website was made for her. I often prayed that she would over come this terrible disease. Apparently God needed her more, one more angel. God Bless you and your family at this time.

Celia Bush
On January 5th, 2011 at 1:00 pm Tina Rowe Says:
Don,
We are so sorry to hear about your precious wife. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you be surrounded by the Lord’s love, peace and strenght.
Sincerely,
Tina & Marvin Rowe
On January 5th, 2011 at 1:57 pm Kathy Wooten Says:
Don and Family:
When I received Don’s message about Karen passing my heart sank. As I nurse, we want to make “everything better” but must remember the true person in charge is God, our Heavenly Father. Seeing Karen’s picture I could put a face withthe angelic voice I heard on the phone so many times. I am truly enriched by having the pleasure of knowing Karen and Don. Don, what a testimate of love you showed to Karen and as we spoke of, it was God’s plan you being able to be there with her these last trying months. Work will come and go but having lost my husband 4 years ago, I realized there are so many more important things than work and money.
God Bless,
Kathy Wooten RN, CCM