Karen Frances Smith

Karen Smith passed away peacefully in her bed at the Good Samaritan Retirement Center, in the early morning hours of April 2nd, 2024, at 73 years of age. She is survived by her daughter Samarida Coleman, son-in-law Scott Coleman, sister Susan Wilson, 6 grandchildren & step-grandchildren: Zoe Sheppard, Ava Sheppard, Gavin Coleman, Adalynn Coleman, Joseph Sheppard & Jacob Sheppard, and her great-nephew Riley Wilson. She was preceded in death by her husband Jeffrey Smith, her parents Arnold Wilson & Angie Wilson, as well as one of her very best friends, Eileen Rodrigues, and her niece, Katie Wilson.

Karen was a lifelong resident of San Diego County, spending most of her years in La Mesa, CA. Married at 19, Karen & Jeffrey spent 51 awe-striking years together. She was a very loving wife & stay-at-home mom to their daughter Sami. Karen loved to play tennis, traveling around the world, & volunteering for the Fuerte Unit of the Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. She was such an interesting person. She loved to camp as much as she loved international travel. Many summers were spent between Orange Cove, CA with her big beautiful extended family & Mammoth, CA with her very dear friends/chosen family. She loved her cats almost as much as her husband. She was the life of the party, with her big personality, quick wit & great sense of humor. Karen was also a practical joker! When she got the news of her auto-immune disorder, she showed a strength of character that was unwavering. She was a realist yet optimistic, and it didn’t stop her from being the amazing mother & grandmother that she was. She had such a big heart & brought many-a-soul under her wings. When she loved you, you knew it. Thank you all for loving her.

Friends and family are invited to join us for her Memorial Service on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 1:00pm, at Erickson-Anderson Mortuary, 8390 Allison Ave. La Mesa. To be followed by a reception (address of reception to be announced at the service).