Birth date: Feb 3, 1940 Death date: Jan 15, 2021
Karen J. O'Neill (Magnuson), 80, of Palm Coast, FL. passed away on January 15, 2021. She was born on February 3, 1940, in Ancon, Panama. She graduated from Balboa High School in 1958. She is survived by her beloved partner, Earl J Read Obituary
Karen was smiling and trying to make people happy right up until she left us.
I met Karen at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.in Deerfield, Fl.
Karen was an usher at the Saturday afternoon Mass. That was the mass that I attended each week. I was attracted to her as she dressed for church like she was going to a state dinner at the White House. She was pretty, petite and had a smile that could melt steel.
After mass we had some small talk, said see ya next week and we went our way.
I always sat at the aisle end of the pew.
One week as she was backing up the aisle with her hand on the end of the pews to control the flow of people to the aisle for communion with her back to me, I put my big hand on top of her little hand when she got to my pew. She was a little startled and she turned around and saw me she gave me that warm smile and left her hand there. That is all I needed to ask her out to dinner the next Saturday.
It was a date, we had the best time time laughing, being silly and the rest is history.
Lots of traveling, spending time together, fondness turned into love and we decided to cohabitate so we could care for each other. It was one of best decisions I ever made. Karen made life a joy.
Traveling with her was so much fun. There were many surprises during our travels and she would get so excited, get giddy like a little girl.
The years together strengthened our love.
Karen was into crafts big time! She made beautiful Christmas stockings for all of the great grand children and Laura and Cassie. Each one took close to one hundred hours to make. She was very generous with her time. She made beautiful Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and birthday cards by the dozens each year.
Karen was also a ballerina. Her lessons started when she was about six years old and continued through high school. The photo was taken when she was asked to perform for a dignitary that was visiting Panama.
Kindness, consideration, compassion, generosity to a fault and a loving heart best describes Karen.
Earl G. Jensen, Companion and BFF
I’ve known Karen my entire adult life. We were introduced by her daughter, Laura, my dear friend turned sister-in-law. Our relationship was strengthened when two friends became family and our extended families were intermingled. Together we enjoyed three decades of friendship and family gatherings. Karen beamed with pride watching each of our extended family get married strengthening the bond that unites us. She enjoyed watching all of us become parents but especially her daughter and I….as we became Mothers within weeks of each other…making Karen and my own Mother first time Grandmothers. Years later, she was proud again as her Grandson and my own Son each got married within months of each other. A few years later, again within months of each other, both Laura and I became Grandmothers, making Karen and my own Mother Great-Grandmothers….all to boys I might add. It was a joke among us that there were no girls. I will always remember Karen as tiny, petite and feminine …a real lady…who loved pink and practiced and appreciated proper etiquette. I will remember how she always made me feel special and loved in her presence. I know she was proud of her daughter, Laura, the joy of her life. In her later years, it was a joy to see Karen so happy with her loving Companion, Earl. She enjoyed showing pictures and telling stories of their many travels together. We love you and we’ll miss you Karen. Your legacy will live on in Laura, Michael, Travis and Jackson.
With Deepest Sympathy to Laura & Roy, Michael, Cassie, Travis & Jackson, and Earl.
Love,
Jay & Debbie Fox
